Word
一概に
Meaning in Englishunconditionally, necessarily
Animated kanji stroke order
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)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
大概
taigai
in general, mainly
N1
単一
tanitsu
single, simple, sole
N1
一息
hitoiki
a breath, a pause, an effort
N1
一頃
hitokoro
once, some time ago
N1
一筋
hitosuji
a line, earnestly, blindly, straightforwardly
N2
一応
ichiou
tentatively, for the time being
N2
一段と
ichidanto
by far, greater
N2
一流
ichiryuu
first class, leading
N2
一昨年
issakunen
year before last