Japanese word

概説

Pronunciation

Romajigaisetsu

Meaning

  • nounoverview

Example

歴史の概説を読みます。reki shi no gai setsu o yo mi ma su

I read an overview of history.

Illustration for 概説 (overview)

More examples

この資料には制度の概説が載っています。ko no shi ryō ni wa sei do no gai setsu ga no tte i ma su

This document includes an overview of the system.

Core concept

Presents the main shape and important points of a subject without covering every detail.

Common phrases

  • 歴史の概説reki shi no gai setsu

    an overview of history

  • 概説を読むgai setsu o yo mu

    read an overview

Similar words

概要gaiyō: A brief account that presents the main points of a subject.
概観gaikan: A broad view that presents a subject as a whole.
総説sōsetsu: A general account that explains the main aspects of a subject.

Definition in Japanese

全体の内容や要点を大まかに説明したもの。zen tai no nai yō ya yō ten o ō ma ka ni setsu mei shi ta mo no

Word origin

概 (gai, "rough outline") and 説 (setsu, "explanation") combine to mean an explanation that gives the broad shape of a subject.

Usage tips

  • In study materials, an overview often comes before detailed sections and shows how the parts of a large subject fit together.

Other meanings

  • outlinenoun
  • summarynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word