Japanese word

全般

Pronunciation

Romajizenpan

Meaning

  • noungeneral

Example

この本は日本文化全般を扱っています。ko no hon wa nihon bun ka zen pan o atsuka tte i ma su

This book covers Japanese culture in general.

Illustration for 全般 (general)

More examples

彼は音楽全般に詳しいです。kare wa on gaku zen pan ni kuwa shi i de su

He knows a lot about music in general.

Core concept

Treats a subject as a complete range of related parts instead of focusing on one element.

Common phrases

  • 全般にzen pan ni

    in general

  • 仕事全般shi goto zen pan

    work in general

  • 健康全般ken kō zen pan

    overall health

Similar words

全体zentai: The complete set of parts or aspects that make up something.
一般ippan: The broad category or common level of a subject rather than a specific case.
総体sōtai: The whole of something viewed as one unified entity.

Definition in Japanese

多くの部分や面を含む事柄の全体。ō ku no bu bun ya men o fuku mu koto gara no zen tai

Word origin

全般 (zenpan) is formed from 全 (zen, "whole") and 般 (han, "kind"), combining the ideas of a whole and its kinds.

Usage tips

  • 全般 (zenpan) is useful when a conversation shifts from one detail to a broad view of a field, such as culture, education, or health.

Other meanings

  • wholenoun

Opposites

  • 個別kobetsuindividualnoun

Related words

  • 全般的zenpantekigeneralna-adjective

Word lists with this word