大致

• Pinyin: dà zhì
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 = person with arms spread — big; 致 = 至 (to arrive) + 攵 (strike) — to reach, express

Meaning

Roughly; approximately; in general. Describes something that is broadly or generally correct without being exact.

As an adverb, means roughly, approximately, or more or less. As an adjective, means general or approximate. 大致相同 (roughly the same), 大致了解 (general understanding). Used when precision isn't needed or isn't possible.

Examples

1. 我大致看了一下报告，还没仔细研究。 I roughly looked over the report, haven't studied it carefully yet.
2. 这两个方案大致相同，细节有些差异。 These two plans are roughly the same, with some differences in details.
3. 大致估算一下，这个项目需要三个月完成。 Roughly estimating, this project needs three months to complete.

Usage Guide

Context: estimation, summary, comparison

Tone: approximating

Do Say

• 情况大致就是这样。(The situation is roughly like this.)
• 我大致明白你的意思了。(I roughly understand what you mean.)

Don't Say

• 说'大致地准确'表示基本准确 (Don't use 大致 with 准确 — they contradict; say 基本准确 or 大体上正确)

Origin & History

大 (big, major) + 致 (to reach, to express). Together meaning reaching the major points, hence approximately or in general.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal