大意

• Pinyin: dà yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 = big; 意 = 音 (sound) + 心 (heart), meaning idea or intention

Meaning

General idea; gist; main point. A noun referring to the overall meaning or summary of something.

Used when summarizing content or conveying the essence without details. Note: There is a different word 大意 (dàyi) meaning 'careless' with the same characters but used as an adjective — context distinguishes them.

Examples

1. 这篇文章的大意是呼吁人们保护环境。 The main idea of this article is a call for people to protect the environment.
2. 你能简单说说这本书的大意吗？ Can you briefly explain the gist of this book?
3. 虽然我没听全，但大意是明白了。 Although I didn't hear everything, I got the general idea.

Usage Guide

Context: summary, communication, education

Tone: explanatory

Do Say

• 这句话的大意是什么？(What's the gist of this sentence?)
• 请概括一下大意。(Please summarize the main idea.)

Don't Say

• 他的大意导致了事故 (This uses 大意 meaning 'careless' — different word, same characters)

Origin & History

Compound of 大 (big, main) + 意 (meaning, idea). Together meaning the main idea or gist.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal