adverb / adjective HSK 5
roughly · approximately · more or less · general
Meaning
大致 means 'roughly' or 'approximately' and is used to indicate something is generally true but not exact or complete. It can describe approximate amounts, general situations, or outlines that capture the main idea without every detail.
Usage
大致 is common in both spoken and written Chinese when you want to give a general picture without being overly precise. It often appears before verbs or at the beginning of clauses. Similar to 大概 but slightly more formal and often emphasizes the general outline or framework of something.
Examples
- 01我大致明白你的意思了。.I roughly understand what you mean.
- 02这两个方案大致相同，没有太大区别。, .These two plans are roughly the same, without much difference.
Characters
Common collocations
- 大致相同roughly the same
- 大致了解to understand roughly
- 大致情况general situation
- 大致方向general direction
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 大 (big, broad) and 致 (refined, detailed) creates the meaning of 'broadly detailed' or the general outline of something—capturing the big picture rather than minute specifics.