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March 24, 2026
大意dàyi(da4yi5)
大意 refers to the general idea or main point of a discussion or text. It can also imply a sense of carelessness when someone does not pay attention to details. This term is commonly used in both academic and everyday contexts when summarizing information or discussing someone's lack of attention.
Frequency#12567DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese education, summarizing the 大意 of a text is a critical skill emphasized from an early age, reflecting the importance placed on understanding the essence of information. This practice is often integrated into language exams and academic assessments.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big (大) idea (意) floating above your head, representing the main point of a conversation. Picture yourself trying to capture it, but you keep being careless and letting it slip away, thus connecting the character to its meaning.
Meanings of 大意
dàyi(da4yi5)
primary
1general idea
2main idea
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About 大意
大意Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#12567Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 大意
Podcast: 大意
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AI Study Notes for 大意
Quick Contrast
要点 (yàodiǎn) - use 大意 for a broader general idea, while 要点 emphasizes specific key points.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big (大) idea (意) floating above your head, representing the main point of a conversation. Picture yourself trying to capture it, but you keep being careless and letting it slip away, thus connecting the character to its meaning.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 大意 with similar terms like 细节 (xìjié), which means details. This word is more commonly used in formal contexts such as academic writing or presentations, but can also appear in casual conversations about someone being inattentive. Remember to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 6, 大意 is useful for summarizing complex texts or discussions. Focus on how it relates to other vocabulary used in summarization and analysis, such as 概括 (gàikuò, to summarize) and 主题 (zhǔtí, theme). Understanding this term will enhance your ability to discuss main ideas effectively.
Cultural Note
In Chinese education, summarizing the 大意 of a text is a critical skill emphasized from an early age, reflecting the importance placed on understanding the essence of information. This practice is often integrated into language exams and academic assessments.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 大意 with 主要 (zhǔyào, main/primary), using them interchangeably. For instance, saying '这篇文章的主要' instead of '这篇文章的大意' is incorrect; the correct phrase should include '意' to convey the meaning of 'main idea'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 大意
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Grammar Patterns of 大意
大意 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Specialist subjects are full of pitfalls for the unwary.
2
他可能一时大意说漏了嘴。
tā kě néng yī shí dà yì shuō lòu le zuǐ。
He might have let something slip in a moment of weakness.
3
请把这篇文章的大意归纳一下.
qǐng bǎ zhè piān wén zhāng de dà yì guī nà yī xià.
Will you please sum up the main ideas of this article?
4
用两页写出这一章的大意.
yòng liǎng yè xiě chū zhè yī zhāng de dà yì.
Precis this chapter in two pages.
5
他因粗心大意挨说了.
tā yīn cū xīn dà yì āi shuō le.
He was told off for being careless.
Cultural Notes for 大意
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese education, summarizing the 大意 of a text is a critical skill emphasized from an early age, reflecting the importance placed on understanding the essence of information. This practice is often integrated into language exams and academic assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions about 大意
You can say: 我在报告中总结了这篇文章的大意 (I summarized the main idea of this article in my report).
The opposite can be 细节 (xìjié), which means details, emphasizing the importance of being attentive to specific information.
Yes, you can say: 他做事太大意了 (He is too careless when doing things).
