adverb / noun HSK 5
generally · approximate · general idea
Meaning
概 means 'general' or 'approximate' and is commonly used in compound words to express general concepts or rough estimates. As a standalone character, it's rarely used alone in modern Chinese but forms the backbone of many important words like 大概 (probably) and 概念 (concept).
Usage
概 almost always appears in compound words rather than standing alone. It's most frequently seen in 大概 (dàgài, probably/roughly), 概括 (gàikuò, to summarize), and 概念 (gàiniàn, concept). In formal or written contexts, it conveys approximation or generalization.
Examples
- 01他大概五点会到。.He'll probably arrive around five o'clock.
- 02请你概括一下这篇文章的主要内容。.Please summarize the main content of this article.
Common collocations
- 一概而论to lump together, to treat as the same
- 概不负责not responsible under any circumstances
Antonyms
Origin
The character 概 originally referred to a leveling tool used to scrape grain level in a measuring container, which led to its extended meaning of 'standard' or 'general outline.'