Word
一概に
Meaning in Englishunconditionally, necessarily
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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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
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一時
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for a time, temporarily, one o clock
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一度に
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all at once, at the same time
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一家
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family, household, clan
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一種
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one kind, one type, variety
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一瞬
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an instant, a moment
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一生
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whole life, lifetime
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一層
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even more, still more
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一体
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what on earth, generally, one body
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一致
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agreement, match, conformity
Kanji