B1 verb Neutral #5,000 most common 2 min read

総合する

sougou suru /soːɡo̞su͍ɽɯ̞/
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Overview

The Japanese verb '総合する' (sougou suru) is a transitive verb that literally means 'to synthesize,' 'to integrate,' or 'to combine parts to form a complex whole.' It's often used in academic, business, and research contexts when discussing the process of gathering disparate information, ideas, or components and bringing them together to create a unified and comprehensive understanding or product.

At its core, '総合する' implies a process of analysis followed by a process of unification. You first break down various elements, understand their individual characteristics, and then meticulously reassemble them into a coherent and more complete entity. This isn't just about simple addition; it's about discerning relationships, identifying patterns, and constructing a meaningful whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

For example, in research, one might '総合する' various findings from different studies to draw a broader conclusion. In business, a company might '総合する' market data, customer feedback, and internal reports to formulate a new strategy. In product development, engineers might '総合する' different technological components to create a new device.

The nuance of '総合する' lies in its emphasis on creating a comprehensive and unified result. It suggests a thorough and thoughtful process of bringing things together, rather than a superficial or haphazard collection. When you '総合する,' you are aiming for a holistic understanding or a complete system. It implies a degree of intellectual effort and careful consideration to ensure that all relevant aspects are included and harmonized. This verb is crucial for expressing complex analytical and creative processes in Japanese, particularly when dealing with information aggregation, system design, or concept formation.

Examples

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Common Collocations

意見を総合する
情報を総合する
データ総合
総合的な判断

Often Confused With

総合する vs 統合する

To integrate; unify

総合する vs 集約する

To summarize; to consolidate

Grammar Patterns

を総合する

How to Use It

Usage Notes

When using 'sōgō suru' (総合する), it implies a deliberate act of combining disparate elements into a coherent whole, often with a sense of purpose or a specific outcome in mind. It's more active and analytical than merely 'atsemeru' (集める - to gather) or 'awaseru' (合わせる - to combine). For instance, one might '情報を総合する' (jōhō o sōgō suru - to synthesize information) to draw a conclusion, or '意見を総合する' (iken o sōgō suru - to synthesize opinions) to form a unified proposal. It can be used in both formal and informal settings, but it carries a slightly more intellectual or analytical nuance. It's often followed by a noun that represents the result of the synthesis, such as '報告書' (hōkokusho - report) or '結論' (ketsuron - conclusion).

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is confusing 総合する (sougou suru) with 結合する (ketsugou suru) or 統合する (tougou suru). While all involve combining, 総合する implies synthesizing various elements into a comprehensive whole, often involving analysis and understanding of how different parts fit together to form a new, complete picture or concept. 結合する is more about simple joining or coupling, like combining two separate pieces. 統合する suggests unifying disparate parts into a single, cohesive entity, often implying a higher level of organization or integration where the parts lose some of their individual identities in favor of the new whole. Use 総合する when you mean to pull together information, data, or concepts to form a complete understanding or a new, synthesized idea. For example, '情報を総合する' (to synthesize information) or '意見を総合する' (to combine opinions to form a comprehensive view). It's less about physically joining and more about intellectually or conceptually bringing things together.

Tips

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Usage Context

「総合する」 is often used in academic or technical contexts when discussing the process of bringing together various elements, data, or theories to create a unified understanding or conclusion. It implies a deeper level of integration than simply combining.

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Nuance with Similar Words

While similar to 'まとめる' (matomeru - to gather, to summarize) or '結合する' (ketsugō suru - to combine, to unite), '総合する' specifically emphasizes the creation of a new, complex whole through integration. 'まとめる' is more about organizing, and '結合する' is more about physical joining.

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Example Sentence

「私たちは多くのデータを総合して、新しい理論を構築しました。」(Watashitachi wa ōku no dēta o sōgō shite, atarashii riron o kōchiku shimashita.) - We synthesized a lot of data and constructed a new theory.

Word Origin

200+ WORDS origin history.

Cultural Context

The concept of 'sōgō suru' (総合する) in Japanese culture often reflects a holistic approach to understanding and problem-solving. In business, it can relate to bringing together diverse departments or perspectives to create a comprehensive strategy, emphasizing collaboration and consensus-building. In academic or artistic contexts, it speaks to the meticulous integration of various elements or research findings to form a complete and nuanced picture. This emphasis on synthesis aligns with a broader cultural value placed on harmony (調和 - chōwa) and the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It's less about simple aggregation and more about a thoughtful, often iterative process of blending and refining.

Memory Tip

Visualize a complex machine being built from many individual parts. '総合する' (sougou suru) sounds a bit like 'so go' and 'sore' and 'guru'. Imagine a 'guru' saying, 'So go, let's combine all these parts together!' The 'gou' part can also make you think of 'go' as in going forward with combining things.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

'総合する' (sōgō suru) means 'to synthesize,' 'to integrate,' or 'to combine various elements to form a coherent whole.' It implies gathering diverse information, ideas, or components and merging them into a unified structure or understanding. This term is often used in academic, business, and research contexts when discussing the process of bringing together different perspectives or data points to draw a comprehensive conclusion or create a new entity.

Certainly! An example sentence could be: '彼は多くの研究結果を総合して、新しい理論を構築した。' (Kare wa ōku no kenkyū kekka o sōgō shite, atarashii riron o kōchiku shita.) This translates to: 'He synthesized many research findings and constructed a new theory.' This sentence illustrates how the act of 'synthesis' involves combining multiple pieces of information to build something new and complete.

Some related terms or synonyms for '総合する' include '統合する' (tōgō suru - to integrate, to unify), 'まとめる' (matomeru - to gather, to summarize, to put together), and '集約する' (shūyaku suru - to consolidate, to condense). While these terms share a similar core meaning of bringing things together, '総合する' often carries the nuance of creating a new, overarching understanding or entity from disparate parts, rather than just simply collecting or organizing them.

'総合する' is frequently used in a variety of contexts, particularly in fields that involve analysis, research, and planning. You might encounter it in discussions about synthesizing data in scientific research, integrating different departments within a company, combining various artistic elements in a creative project, or compiling information to form a comprehensive report. It emphasizes a process that goes beyond mere collection to create a holistic and unified outcome.

Test Yourself

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この研究は、異なる分野の知見を（　　　）ことで、新たな発見を促した。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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多くの情報を（　　　）のは、簡単なことではない。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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彼は様々なデータを（　　　）し、最終的な結論を導き出した。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Score: /3

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