概説|がいせつgaisetsu[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verboverview; outline; rough summary

• Synonym概論がいろんNeutralAn introductory overview, as in 「経済学概論」; mostly a lecture-course or book title, while 「概説」 stresses explaining a subject in outline.
• Synonym概要がいようNeutralAn overview, as in 「事件の概要」; the most versatile of this group for a general outline of anything.
• Synonym要約ようやくNeutralA summary made by condensing, as in 「論文を要約する」; the focus is on compressing the original text.
• Synonym概略がいりゃくNeutralA rough outline, as in 「計画の概略」; stresses the broad shape of something rather than a full explanation.
• Synonym要覧ようらんNeutralA compiled handbook, as in 「会社要覧」; key points and data arranged into an easy-to-read booklet.
• Synonym総論そうろんNeutralGeneral discussion of the whole, as in 「総論賛成、各論反対」; stands opposite 「各論」 (individual cases).
• Synonym概観がいかんNeutralA broad survey, as in 「歴史を概観する」; stresses taking in the whole field from a bird's-eye view.
• Synonym綱領こうりょうNeutralA platform or program of principles, as in 「党の綱領」; used for political parties and organizations.
• Synonym総括そうかつNeutralAn overall review, as in 「一年を総括する」; stresses looking back and evaluating what has been done.
• SynonymまとめNeutralA wrap-up or summary, as in 「まとめを書く」; the most common choice in everyday speech.
• SynonymサマリーNeutralA loanword for a summary, as in 「エグゼクティブサマリー」; mostly heard in business reports.
• Synonym総説そうせつNeutralA review article, as in 「総説論文」; used mainly for survey papers in academic journals.
• Synonym略説りゃくせつNeutralA brief explanation, as in 「略説する」; it leans toward written use and is not a common word.
• Synonym梗概こうがいNeutralA synopsis, as in 「小説の梗概」; used mainly for the plot of a story or novel.
• Synonym大意たいいNeutralThe gist of a text, as in 「文章の大意」; common in language-reading contexts, grasping the main idea.
• Synonym大要たいようNeutralA general outline, as in 「大要を述べる」; leans written.
• Synonym略述りゃくじゅつNeutralDescribing something briefly, as in 「経緯を略述する」; leans written.
• Synonym略叙りゃくじょWrittenA written/formal term for a brief account; rare.
• SynonymあらましNeutralA native-Japanese word for an outline, as in 「事件のあらまし」; fits both speech and writing.
• Synonym要説ようせつNeutralAn explanation focused on key points, often a book title; rare.
• SynonymアウトラインNeutralA loanword for an outline, as in 「アウトラインを示す」; common when planning or structuring writing.
• Synonym概括がいかつNeutralSumming up by generalizing, as in 「概括的に述べる」; stresses drawing points together into one statement.
• Synonym大略たいりゃくNeutralA rough outline, as in 「大略次のとおり」; leans written.
• Synonym綱要こうようNeutralThe essentials of a subject, as in 「哲学綱要」; mostly seen in book titles.
• Synonym汎論はんろんWrittenA written/formal term for a broad general discussion; rare.
• Synonym通論つうろんNeutralAn accepted general account of a field, as in 「民法通論」; mostly a textbook title.
• Related要綱ようこうNeutralGuidelines or an outline of key points, as in 「募集要綱」; typical of official rules and recruitment documents.
• Antonym詳細しょうさいNeutralDetails, as in 「詳細は後日」; the opposite pole to the summarizing 「概説」.

Use 「概説」 for a summarizing account of a field, as in 「日本史概説」 or 「概説書」. For lecture or book titles say 「概論」; for the outline of an event, 「概要」; for a story's plot, 「梗概」; in casual speech, 「まとめ」. 「サマリー」 fits business reports, 「総説」 academic journals, 「要綱」 recruitment documents, 「要覧」 compiled handbooks, 「綱領」 party platforms, and 「総括」 retrospective reviews. 「要約」 and 「概括」 stress condensing and generalizing, 「概観」 a bird's-eye survey, 「アウトライン」 planning and writing. The opposite is 「詳細」.

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

1. ある事柄ことがらについて大要たいようを説明せつめいすること。また、その説明せつめい。概論がいろん。