Chinese word

一概而论

Pronunciation

Pinyinyī gài ér lùn

Meaning

  • idiomgeneralize

Example

这件事很复杂，不能一概而论。zhè jiàn shì hěn fù zá bù néng yí gài ér lùn

This matter is complicated, so no blanket judgment can be made.

Illustration for 一概而论 (generalize)

More examples

在面试中，不能仅凭一两个表现就一概而论应聘者。zài miàn shì zhōng bù néng jǐn píng yì liǎng gè biǎo xiàn jiù yí gài ér lùn yìng pìn zhě

In an interview, you cannot generalize about an applicant based only on one or two things they do.

Core concept

Different situations flattened into one general judgment.

Common phrases

  • 不能一概而论bù néng yí gài ér lùn

    cannot generalize

  • 不要轻易一概而论bú yào qīng yì yí gài ér lùn

    do not generalize hastily

  • 把所有人都一概而论bǎ suó yǒu rén dōu yí gài ér lùn

    generalize about everyone

Similar words

以偏概全yǐ piān gài quán: Using one limited example to judge an entire group or situation.
概而论之gài ér lùn zhī: Giving a general account of something while omitting fine details.

Definition in Chinese

把复杂事物简单化，按单一标准概括性地评价或讨论。bǎ fù zá shì wù jiǎn dān huà àn dān yì biāo zhǔn gài kuò xìng dì píng jià huò tǎo lùn

Word origin

The idiom combines 一 (yī, "one") + 概 (gài, "summary") + 而 (ér, "and") + 论 (lùn, "discuss") to portray many matters being discussed under one summary.

Usage tips

  • It fits moments when one example is being used to judge every case, so it helps mark a careful distinction without sounding confrontational.

Other meanings

  • make blanket decisionsidiom

Opposites

Word lists with this word