概 meaning and stroke order
Generally, probably, approximately
How to write 概, stroke by stroke
13 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 概
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (bound form) general; approximate
- without exception; categorically
- (bound form) bearing; deportment
- old variant of 概[gai4]
How 概 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Tree.
木 gives the meaning and 既 hints at the sound.
Radical: 木 (tree), shared by 388 characters on this site.
How to remember 概
概 is a pictophonetic character: 木 (wood) on the left gives the meaning category, and 既 (jì) on the right hints at the sound. Picture a wooden stick that sweeps across a heap of grain to level it off, giving you the general, rough amount.
概 rarely stands alone and mostly appears in words like 大概 (dàgài, probably; roughly), 概念 (gàiniàn, concept) and 一概 (yīgài, without exception). 大概 is very common in speech for guesses. Example: 他大概不来了。(Tā dàgài bù lái le.) He probably isn't coming.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up the right side 既 (jì) with 即 (jí), since they look alike, but 概 uses 既, which has the extra 旡 part on the right. Also remember the tone is fourth tone gài, not third tone gǎi like 改 (change).
Common words with 概
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 大概 | dàgài | roughly; probably | HSK 3 |
| 概念 | gàiniàn | concept; idea | HSK 3 |
| 概括 | gàikuò | to summarize; to generalize; briefly; in broad outline | HSK 4 |
| 概率 | gàilǜ | probability (math.) | HSK 7-9 |
| 一概 | yīgài | all; without any exceptions | HSK 7-9 |
| 概况 | gàikuàng | general situation; summary | HSK 7-9 |
| 概论 | gàilùn | outline; introduction | HSK 7-9 |
| 一概而论 | yīgài'érlùn | to lump different matters together (idiom) | HSK 7-9 |
| 气概 | qìgài | lofty quality; mettle |
概 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 概
How many strokes are in 概?
概 is written with 13 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 概 mean?
概 (gài) means generally, probably, approximately. A common word with it is 大概 (dàgài), meaning "roughly; probably".
How do you pronounce 概?
概 is pronounced gài, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 概?
The radical of 概 is 木, which carries the idea of "tree". Dictionaries list 概 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 概?
The traditional form of 概 is 槩. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 概 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 概 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 概 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
What is the difference between 大概 and 可能?
Both can mean probably, but 大概 also means roughly or approximately, as in 大概十个人 (about ten people). 可能 can also be a noun or adjective meaning possibility or possible, which 大概 cannot.
What does 不能一概而论 mean?
It means you cannot lump everything together or generalize. People say it when a situation depends on the details, for example when someone makes a sweeping claim about a whole group.