Japanese word

概論

Pronunciation

Romajigairon

Meaning

  • nounoutline

Example

日本文学の概論を読みます。nihon bun gaku no gai ron o yo mi ma su

I read an outline of Japanese literature.

Illustration for 概論 (outline)

More examples

この授業では経済学の概論を扱います。ko no ju gyō de wa kei zai gaku no gai ron o atsuka i ma su

This course covers an introduction to economics.

Core concept

Gives a broad view of a subject by organizing its central matters rather than examining each point in depth.

Common phrases

  • 概論を学ぶgai ron o mana bu

    study an overview

  • 概論を読むgai ron o yo mu

    read an overview

  • 概論から入るgai ron ka ra hai ru

    start with an overview

Similar words

概説gaisetsu: A brief account that explains the main points of a subject.
総論sōron: An account of the general principles that apply to a field.

Definition in Japanese

学問や事柄の全体像を、中心となる事項に絞って述べたもの。gaku mon ya koto gara no zen tai zō o chū shin to na ru ji kō ni shibo tte no be ta mo no

Word origin

概 (gai, "general idea") is combined with 論 (ron, "discussion"). The compound 概論 (gairon) denotes a discussion that surveys the main points of a subject.

Usage tips

  • An outline in English often serves as a plan before writing, while 概論 (gairon) usually names a finished general account of a field or subject.

Other meanings

  • introductionnoun

Opposites

  • 各論kakurondetailed discussionnoun

Related words

  • 概論的gairontekigeneralna-adjective

Word lists with this word