Japanese word

一概に

Pronunciation

Romajiichigaini

Meaning

  • adverbcategorically

Example

人の意見を一概に否定してはいけません。hito no i ken o ichi gai ni hi tei shi te wa i ke ma se n

You should not categorically reject other people's opinions.

Illustration for 一概に (categorically)

More examples

この数字だけでは、成功したとは一概に言えません。ko no sū ji da ke de wa sei kō shi ta to wa ichi gai ni i e ma se n

These numbers alone do not allow us to say categorically that it was a success.

Core concept

Expresses a categorical view that treats varied matters as if they were all the same.

Common phrases

  • 一概に言えないichi gai ni i e na i

    cannot say categorically

  • 一概に否定するichi gai ni hi tei su ru

    reject categorically

  • 一概に判断するichi gai ni han dan su ru

    judge categorically

Similar words

一律にichiritsuni: Uses one rule or standard for every case without considering differences between them.
概してgaishite: Describes a situation or group in general terms without focusing on individual cases.

Definition in Japanese

物事の違いを細かく考えず、全体を一律に判断するさま。mono goto no chiga i o koma ka ku kanga e zu zen tai o ichi ritsu ni han dan su ru sa ma

Word origin

The word comes from the Sino-Japanese compound 一概 (ichigai), formed from 一 (ichi, "one") and 概 (gai, "general outline"), plus the adverb-forming particle に (ni).

Usage tips

  • The adverb 一概に (ichigai ni) commonly signals caution about categorical statements when the situations being discussed are not identical.

Other meanings

  • unconditionallyadverb

Word lists with this word