How to say "abstract" in Japanese

• 抽象的ちゅうしょうてきCommon
  na-adjectiveThe adjective 'abstract': abstract ideas, concepts, thinking, or art as opposed to concrete things. When English 'abstract' contrasts with 'concrete', this adjective is the word you want.
  あなたの説明せつめいは私には抽象的ちゅうしょうてきすぎます。↗

  Your explanation is too abstract to me.
• 抄録しょうろくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA noun for the abstract of an academic paper or article — a condensed summary of its content. It is not the word for the adjective 'abstract' meaning not concrete.
• 概要がいようCommon
  nounOutline, summary, overview; it matches 'abstract' only where English means a brief account of a document's contents, and it does not express the abstract/concrete contrast.
  ここまでで、この時期じきの政治せいじ不安ふあん増大ぞうだいに関かんする概要がいようを述のべてきた。↗

  Up to this point I have presented an overview of the growth of political unrest in the period.
• 無形むけいCommon
  no-adjectiveFormless, immaterial, intangible: it touches 'abstract' only in the sense of lacking physical form. For abstract ideas or abstract art it is seldom the word you want.
• 要旨ようしJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe gist or main points of a text or argument; it corresponds to 'abstract' as a noun for a condensed statement of essentials, as in a paper's abstract.
  以下いかは大統領だいとうりょうの演説えんぜつの要旨ようしだ。↗

  The following is a summary of the President's speech.

Choose 抽象的 for the adjective 'abstract' as opposed to concrete; for a paper's abstract use 抄録 or 要旨, 概要 for a general outline or summary, and 無形 only for the immaterial sense.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 抽象的ちゅうしょうてきabstract
• 抄録しょうろくquotation
• 概要がいようoutline
• 無形むけいformless
• 要旨ようし(main) point
• アブストラクトabstract (e.g. art, music)
• アブストabstract (of a paper)
• 梗概こうがいoutline
• 予稿よこうpreliminary draft
• レジュメsummary
• あらましoutline
• 概言がいげんsummary