Japanese word

概要

Pronunciation

Romajigaiyō

Meaning

  • nounoverview

Example

会議の概要を参加者に説明します。kai gi no gai yō o san ka sha ni setsu mei shi ma su

I will explain the overview of the meeting to the participants.

Illustration for 概要 (overview)

More examples

まず資料の概要を読んでください。ma zu shi ryō no gai yō o yo n de ku da sa i

Please read the overview of the materials first.

Core concept

Gives a broad view of a subject by selecting its central features rather than its finer details.

Common phrases

  • 会議の概要kai gi no gai yō

    meeting overview

  • 概要を説明するgai yō o setsu mei su ru

    explain the overview

  • 概要を把握するgai yō o ha aku su ru

    grasp the overview

Similar words

概略gairyaku: A brief account of the main points of a subject.
概観gaikan: A general view of a subject that covers its main features.
要約yōyaku: A shortened account that presents the essential points of a longer text or speech.

Definition in Japanese

物事全体のあらましや主要な点を簡潔にまとめたもの。mono goto zen tai no a ra ma shi ya shu yō na ten o kan ketsu ni ma to me ta mo no

Word origin

概要 (gaiyō, "general outline") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 概 (gai, "general form") and 要 (yō, "essential point"), so it names a broad account of what matters most.

Usage tips

  • An overview can serve as an introduction to a report, presentation, or subject, because it lets the main structure appear before the details are examined.

Other meanings

  • outlinenoun
  • summarynoun

Word lists with this word