Word
一概に
Meaning in Englishunconditionally, necessarily
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
Related sentences
Related sentences
There are no published items in this section yet.
Word context
What it means
What does 一概に mean? It means applying a single generalization to all cases, often used to hedge or caution against overgeneralization; it denotes a broad generalization that may not hold in every situation.
Main meanings
- Broad generalization: expresses applying a property to things as a whole
- Hedging usage: often paired with 言える or 言えない to avoid overgeneralization
- Formal nuance: common in analytic or academic writing
How to use it
Used mainly in formal or written contexts to hedge broad generalizations; attaches to adverbial に and pairs with verbs such as 言える and 言えない; commonly occurs in negative constructions: 一概には言えない.
Variants and close terms
- 一般には (ippan ni) - generally
- 概して (gaishite) - on the whole
- 全般的には (zenpanteki ni) - generally speaking
- 個別には (kobetsu ni) - individually (antonym)
Composition
- 一: one, a single unit
- 概: outline, gist, general idea
- に: adverbial particle turning the noun into an adverb
Etymology
いちがい (ichigai) is the on'yomi reading of 一概; the compound assembles 一 meaning one and 概 meaning outline or gist; the form with に yields the adverbial 一概に.
Word class
adverb (副詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N2
一斉
issei
simultaneous, all at once
N2
一旦
ittan
once, for a moment
N2
一定
ittei
fixed, settled, regular
N2
概論
gairon
introduction, general remark
N2
一昨昨日
sakiototoi
two days before yesterday, three days ago
N2
統一
touitsu
unity, consolidation, uniformity
N2
一～
hito～
one ~
N2
一通り
hitotoori
general, briefly
N2
一休み
hitoyasumi
a rest
Kanji