B1 adjective Neutral #2,800 most common 1 min read

简要

jiǎn yào /tɕi̯ən²¹⁴ jɑʊ̯⁵¹/
Practice it

Use '简要' to describe information or content that is concise and gets straight to the main points.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Brief and to the point.
  • Concise, essential information.
  • Good for reports and summaries.

Overview

“简要”这个词在汉语中非常常用，它的核心意思是“简洁而扼要”。它描述的对象通常是信息、内容、过程或表达方式，强调的是去除不必要的细节，直击要点，使接收者能够轻松快速地理解。它与“简单”不同，“简单”侧重于事物本身的复杂程度低，“简要”则侧重于表达或呈现方式的精炼。

“简要”通常用作定语，修饰名词，如“简要报告”、“简要介绍”、“简要说明”。它也可以用作谓语，表示“是简要的”，但这种情况相对较少。在口语和书面语中都非常普遍，尤其是在需要快速传达信息或总结情况的场合。

**个人交流**: 在与他人交流时，如果想快速表达自己的观点，也会说“我只想简要说几句”。

“扼要”强调抓住关键点，直击要害，不旁枝末节。它比“简要”更强调抓住核心和重点。

例如：发言扼要。

“概括”是一个动词，意思是将事物的共同特征或主要部分抽取出来，形成一个简明的整体。它强调的是提炼和总结的过程。

例如：请概括一下这篇文章的主要内容。

“简洁”更侧重于语言文字的精炼、优美，没有多余的词语，读起来或听起来很舒服。它强调的是形式上的干净利落。

例如：语言简洁有力。

“简短”侧重于篇幅或时间上的短，不一定包含“扼要”的意思，可能内容并不精炼，只是长度不够。

例如：一个简短的回答。

Examples

1

请用一句话简要介绍一下你自己。

everyday

Please briefly introduce yourself in one sentence.

2

这份研究报告提供了一个关于市场趋势的简要分析。

academic

This research report provides a concise analysis of market trends.

3

在会议开始前，他要求大家做一个简要的发言。

formal

Before the meeting started, he asked everyone to make a brief statement.

4

我时间不多，只能简要说说我的看法。

informal

I don't have much time, so I can only briefly state my views.

Common Collocations

简要介绍 brief introduction
简要说明 brief explanation/description
简要报告 brief report
简要总结 brief summary
简要发言 brief speech/statement

Common Phrases

简要地说

to put it briefly

请简要介绍

please give a brief introduction

简要回顾

brief review

Often Confused With

简要 vs 简洁

'简要' focuses on being concise and to the point, often about content or information. '简洁' emphasizes neatness and lack of excess in language or style, making it sound pleasant.

简要 vs 简短

'简要' implies conciseness and focus on essentials. '简短' simply means short in length or duration, without necessarily implying that the content is essential or well-focused.

Grammar Patterns

简要 + Noun (e.g., 简要报告) 简要地 + Verb (e.g., 简要说明) Verb + 简要 (e.g., 总结简要)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word '简要' is widely used in both spoken and written Chinese. It's particularly common in professional and academic settings where efficiency in communication is valued. It can be used to describe reports, summaries, introductions, explanations, and even brief speeches.

Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse '简要' with '简短'. While both relate to brevity, '简要' emphasizes the conciseness of the *content* (getting to the point), whereas '简短' simply refers to the short *length* or duration.

Tips

💡

Focus on the core message

When using '简要', aim to convey the most important information without unnecessary elaboration.

⚠️

Avoid being too brief

While '简要' means concise, ensure it's not so brief that crucial details are omitted.

🌍

Efficiency in communication

In Chinese culture, valuing efficiency means getting to the point quickly, making '简要' a highly appreciated quality in communication.

Word Origin

The character '简' (jiǎn) means 'simple' or 'letter', suggesting something uncomplicated. The character '要' (yào) means 'important' or 'essential'. Together, '简要' implies presenting the simple, important points.

Cultural Context

In many East Asian cultures, including Chinese culture, efficiency and respect for others' time are highly valued. Therefore, presenting information in a '简要' manner is often seen as polite and professional.

Memory Tip

Think of '简要' as 'simply major' points. It's about getting the main, important information across in a simple, short way.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“简要”强调内容上的精炼和扼要，侧重于抓住重点，去除冗余信息。“简洁”则更侧重于表达形式上的干净利落，语言文字没有多余的词句，读起来或听起来很舒服。

“简要”可以用在各种需要精炼信息的场合，比如工作汇报、会议发言、报告摘要、产品说明、学习总结等，也可以用于日常交流中表达简洁的意愿。

“简要”的近义词包括：简洁、扼要、概括（动词）、简短等。但它们侧重点略有不同。

你可以说“这份报告写得很简要”，意思是这份报告内容精炼，重点突出，没有太多不必要的细节。或者说“请给出一个简要的报告”，要求对方提供一份精炼的报告。

Test Yourself

fill blank

请您对刚才的会议内容做一个______的总结。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 简要

这里需要一个词来形容总结的内容是精炼、扼要的，符合“简要”的意思。

multiple choice

哪个词最符合“简要”的意思？

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 简要

“简要”表示内容精炼、扼要，抓住重点，与“冗长”、“啰嗦”、“繁琐”的意思相反。

sentence building

请将以下词语组成一个通顺的句子：报告，简要，他，一份，写，了。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 他写了一份简要的报告。

“简要”作定语修饰“报告”，放在名词前面，构成“简要的报告”。

Score: /3

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