gàikuò
To summarize, to generalize
概括来说 (gàikuò lái shuō) / 总的来说 (zǒng de lái shuō) / 总而言之 (zǒng ér yán zhī) / 归根到底 (guīgēndàodǐ) / 简言之 (jiǎn yán zhī) / 简而言之 (jiǎn ér yán zhī) / 综上所述 (zōng shàng suǒ shù) + Conclusion
Pattern diagram
Rule structure
These phrases introduce a summary or conclusion. 概括来说 (gài kuò lái shuō) and 总的来说 (zǒng de lái shuō) mean “overall”; 总而言之 (zǒng ér yán zhī) means “in a nutshell”; 归根到底 (guī gēn dào dǐ) means “ultimately, at its core”. 简言之 (jiǎn yán zhī) / 简而言之 (jiǎn ér yán zhī) mean “in brief”, while written 综上所述 (zōng shàng suǒ shù) means “to sum up the preceding discussion”. The phrase normally precedes the concluding statement.
Rule structure
These phrases introduce a summary or conclusion. 概括来说 (gài kuò lái shuō) and 总的来说 (zǒng de lái shuō) mean “overall”; 总而言之 (zǒng ér yán zhī) means “in a nutshell”; 归根到底 (guī gēn dào dǐ) means “ultimately, at its core”. 简言之 (jiǎn yán zhī) / 简而言之 (jiǎn ér yán zhī) mean “in brief”, while written 综上所述 (zōng shàng suǒ shù) means “to sum up the preceding discussion”. The phrase normally precedes the concluding statement.
Examples
总的来说,这个办法不错。
Zǒng de lái shuō, zhège bànfǎ búcuò.
Overall, this method is not bad.
Examples
总的来说,这个办法不错。
Zǒng de lái shuō, zhège bànfǎ búcuò.
Overall, this method is not bad.
Two short exercises: see how the rule works in a dialogue and in a sentence. No sign-up needed.
gàikuò
To summarize, to generalize
lái
To come
shuō
To speak, to say, to tell
zǒng
Always; general, chief
de
Possessive particle; modifier particle
zǒng ér yán zhī
In summary, in a word
guī gēn dào dǐ
In the final analysis, ultimately
zhī
(literary) possessive particle; him, her, it
ér
And, but, while
shàng
On, above
suǒ
Measure word for buildings and institutions; place
zhè ge
This, this one
Use the structure: 概括来说 (gàikuò lái shuō) / 总的来说 (zǒng de lái shuō) / 总而言之 (zǒng ér yán zhī) / 归根到底 (guīgēndàodǐ) / 简言之 (jiǎn yán zhī) / 简而言之 (jiǎn ér yán zhī) / 综上所述 (zōng shàng suǒ shù) + Conclusion. For example: 总的来说,这个办法不错。 — “Overall, this method is not bad”.
总的来说,这个办法不错。 — “Overall, this method is not bad”.
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
Tomyo
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
不瞒你说 — to tell you the truth
不瞒你说 (bù mán nǐ shuō) / 老实说 (lǎoshi shuō) / 说真的 (shuō zhēn de) + Personal opinion or confession
这样一来 — in this way, as a result
这样一来 (zhèyàng yìlái) + Conclusion/Consequence
要我说 — in my opinion, if you ask me
要 (yào) / 让 (ràng) + 我 (wǒ) + 说 (shuō) + Opinion
这不 — “see, look”
Preceding statement,+ 这不 (zhè bu),+ confirming fact
反过来 — reversal and concession markers
反过来 (fǎnguòlai) + (说 (shuō)) + reverse viewpoint; 话是这么说 (huà shì zhème shuō) + objection; 话 (huà) + (又 (yòu)) + 说回来 (shuō huílai) + counterbalancing point; 退一步说 (tuì yí bù shuō) + concession
不是 — not to criticize you
不是 (búshì) + correction / 不是我说你 (búshì wǒ shuō nǐ) + criticism / 你看你 (nǐ kàn nǐ) + reproach
无论如何 — no matter what
无论如何 (wúlùn rúhé) + Subject + (都 (dōu)) + Predicate
还别说 — you know what, actually
(你 (nǐ)) + 还别说 (hái bié shuō) + conclusion/admission
Got the rule? Test yourself
Two exercises, under a minute.