大概

• 読み: たいがい
• ローマ字: taigai
• 漢字の分解: 大 (tai) — large, general; 概 (gai) — outline, general idea
• 発音: /ta.i.ɡa.i/

意味

In general; mostly; roughly; probably. Used to indicate approximation or a general tendency.

An adverb and noun with dual uses. As an adverb, 大概は means 'in most cases' or 'roughly speaking.' It can also be used to suggest something has gone far enough: 大概にしろ (give it a rest; enough already). This second usage is particularly idiomatic and carries a tone of exasperation. Context determines which sense applies.

例文

1. 大概のことには動じない彼も、今回ばかりは驚いた様子だった。
2. 職場のトラブルは大概、コミュニケーション不足が原因だと思う。
3. いい加減にしろ、大概にしろと上司に一喝された。

使い方ガイド

場面: daily life, conversation, opinion, exasperation

トーン: casual

起源と歴史

Sino-Japanese compound: 大 (tai) means large or general, 概 (gai) means outline or general idea. Together: 'the general picture.'

文化的背景

時代: Modern

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal