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
Related words by kanji and components
N4
一杯
ippai
full, one cup, a lot
N4
一生懸命
isshoukenmei
with utmost effort, very hard, earnestly
N5
一緒に
issho ni
together
N5
一時間
ichijikan
one hour
N5
一匹
ippiki
one small animal
N5
一昨日
ototoi
day before yesterday
N5
一
ichi
one, number one
N5
一日
ichinichi
one day, whole day
N5
一番
ichiban
first, best, most
Kanji