总体

• Pinyin: zǒng tǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 总 = 心 (heart) + 囱 (window) — overall; 体 = 亻(person) + 本 (root) — body, whole

Meaning

Overall; general; as a whole. Referring to something considered in its entirety rather than its individual parts.

Often used in reports, analyses, and evaluations to describe general trends or comprehensive assessments. Can function as a noun (the whole) or adverb (overall).

Examples

1. 总体来说，这次活动办得很成功。 Overall, this event was very successful.
2. 经济总体保持稳定增长的态势。 The economy continues to maintain a trend of steady growth overall.
3. 从总体上看，学生们的表现令人满意。 Looking at it as a whole, the students' performance is satisfactory.

Usage Guide

Context: reports, analysis, evaluations

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 总体而言，今年的业绩不错。(Overall, this year's performance was good.)
• 我们需要从总体规划的角度考虑这个问题。(We need to consider this issue from an overall planning perspective.)

Don't Say

• 说'总体我喜欢苹果' (Don't use 总体 for simple personal preferences — it sounds too analytical; just say 我喜欢苹果)

Origin & History

总 (overall, total) + 体 (body, whole). Together they mean the whole or entirety.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal