B2 adverb Neutral 1 min read

大体

dàtǐ /tâtʰì/
Practice it

It refers to the general situation or main outline, ignoring minor details.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used to describe things in a general or overall sense.
  • Focuses on the core essence rather than minor details.
  • Commonly used in formal reports and professional discussions.

1) 概览：大体（dàtǐ）是一个在日常交流和书面语中都非常常用的副词，侧重于对事物的整体评价或宏观把握。它传达出一种‘忽略细枝末节，关注核心本质’的思维方式。

2) 使用模式：在句法上，‘大体’通常置于动词或形容词之前，起到修饰作用。例如：‘情况大体良好’（情况在总体上是好的）。它也可以用于句首作为插入语，表示对整句话的概括。

3) 常见语境：它广泛应用于汇报工作、描述进展、评价观点或陈述事实。例如在商务会议中，人们常用‘大体一致’来表示双方没有根本性的分歧；在描述工程进度时，常用‘大体完成’来表示主体工作已结束，仅剩收尾细节。

4) 近义词辨析：与‘大致’相比，‘大体’更侧重于事物构成的核心方面（本质），而‘大致’更侧重于数量或程度上的估算。与‘基本上’相比，‘大体’语气稍显正式，常用于强调逻辑上的整体性。

Examples

1

工程大体上已经完工了。

everyday

The project is generally finished.

2

双方的观点大体一致。

formal

The two sides hold generally consistent views.

3

这事儿大体就是这样。

informal

That's basically how it is.

4

大体而言，该研究支持这一结论。

academic

Generally speaking, the study supports this conclusion.

Common Collocations

大体一致 generally consistent
大体完成 mostly completed
大体情况 general situation

Common Phrases

大体上

on the whole

大体而言

generally speaking

大体不差

mostly correct

Often Confused With

大体 vs 大致

Refers more to approximations in quantity, time, or scale, whereas '大体' focuses on the overall essence.

大体 vs 基本上

Often implies that something is complete except for minor exceptions, similar to '大体' but slightly more colloquial.

Grammar Patterns

大体 + 形容词 大体 + 动词 大体上 + 句子

How to Use It

Usage Notes

大体 is a versatile adverb that fits well in both professional reports and casual conversation. It functions primarily to modify verbs or adjectives, indicating that a statement is a summary rather than a precise detail. Avoid using it as an adjective to describe a noun directly.

Common Mistakes

Students often try to use '大体' as an adjective (e.g., '大体的问题'), which is grammatically incorrect. It should be used to describe the state of an action or a property. Also, avoid overusing it in strictly scientific contexts where precise data is required.

Tips

💡

Focus on the big picture

Use '大体' when you want to summarize a situation without getting bogged down in minor details. It is perfect for professional summaries.

⚠️

Do not confuse with adjectives

Remember that '大体' is an adverb. It should not be used as an adjective to describe a noun directly.

🌍

Chinese preference for synthesis

Chinese communication often values holistic views. '大体' reflects this cultural tendency to look at the overall structure first.

Word Origin

The word is formed from '大' (big/main) and '体' (body/substance). Historically, it refers to grasping the main structure of an object or argument.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, emphasizing the 'big picture' (大局) is a common rhetorical strategy. '大体' aligns with this preference for prioritizing the whole over the parts.

Memory Tip

Think of '大' (big) and '体' (body/structure). When you look at the 'big body' of something, you see the general outline.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

两者意思相近，但“大体”强调事物的整体结构和本质，而“大致”更常用于涉及数字、时间或程度的估算。

可以。放在句首时，它起到概括全句的作用，例如：“大体上，这个计划是可行的。”

它属于中性偏正式的词汇，既可以在非正式谈话中使用，也完全适用于书面报告和学术讨论。

不可以，“大体”只能修饰动词或形容词。如果想修饰名词，通常需要加“的”，或者换用其他词。

Test Yourself

fill blank

虽然还有一些小问题，但这个方案___已经定下来了。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 大体

“大体”表示总体上，符合语境中“虽然有小问题但整体已定”的逻辑。

multiple choice

选择正确的一项：

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 这个工程大体完成了。

“大体”作为副词，修饰动词“完成”，位置正确。

sentence building

请将下列词语组合成句：意见 / 我们 / 一致 / 大体

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 我们意见大体一致。

副词“大体”应放在形容词“一致”之前。

Score: /3

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