Spanish word

generalizar

Pronunciation

IPA/xeneɾaliˈθaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbgeneralize

Example

No generalices por una experiencia.

Don't generalize from one experience.

Illustration for generalizar (generalize)

More examples

Debemos evitar generalizar sin contrastar fuentes.

We should avoid generalizing without cross-checking sources.

Core concept

Turning a single example into a broad rule.

Common phrases

  • evitar generalizar

    avoid generalizing

  • generalizar en exceso

    overgeneralize

  • tendencia a generalizar

    tendency to generalize

Similar words

concluir: Arriving at a decision after considering facts or information.
deducir: Working out a conclusion through formal logical deduction.
suponer: Supposing something without strong supporting evidence.
estereotipar: Creating and applying rigid, oversimplified beliefs about a group.

Definition in Spanish

Extender una observación concreta para que valga como regla o norma más amplia.

Word origin

The adjective general (from Latin genus 'kind') combines with the Spanish verb-forming suffix -izar to create a verb meaning to make or render something general.

Usage tips

  • The verb often sounds like a criticism of sloppy reasoning, so speakers frequently soften it by describing someone as drawing a broad conclusion rather than saying they generalize.

Opposites

Related words

  • generalizacióngeneralizationnoun
  • generalizadorgeneralisernoun
  • generalizablegeneralisableadjective

Word lists with this word