Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
简要(簡要)jiǎnyào(jian3yao4)
简要 (jiǎn yào) refers to something that is concise and brief, often used to describe summaries or explanations that convey essential information without unnecessary details. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as reports or presentations, where clarity and brevity are valued.
Frequency#18172DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese academic and professional settings, being concise is often seen as a sign of respect for the audience's time and attention. The value placed on brevity contrasts with more elaborate styles that may be appreciated in some Western contexts.
Memory Tip
Think of 简 (jiǎn) as 'simple' and 要 (yào) as 'to need'—together they remind you that to be concise, you need to keep things simple and to the point. Imagine a teacher telling students to 'keep it simple' when summarizing a long lesson.
Meanings of 简要
jiǎnyào(jian3yao4)
1concise
2brief
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 简要
简要Simplified
簡要Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#18172Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 简要
Podcast: 简要
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 简要
Quick Contrast
概括 (gàikuò) vs 简要 (jiǎnyào): use 简要 for brief descriptions or summaries, while 概括 emphasizes a broader summarization.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 简 (jiǎn) as 'simple' and 要 (yào) as 'to need'—together they remind you that to be concise, you need to keep things simple and to the point. Imagine a teacher telling students to 'keep it simple' when summarizing a long lesson.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 简要 with related words like 简单 (jiǎn dān, simple) or 摘要 (zhāi yào, abstract). It's important to note that 简要 emphasizes brevity in expression, while 简单 focuses on simplicity. Use this term in formal writing and presentations to convey efficiency.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 学生 should connect 简要 to other advanced vocabulary related to summarization, like 总结 (zǒng jié, conclusion) and 概括 (gài kuò, generalization). Focus on using it in context to practice its application in summarizing concepts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese academic and professional settings, being concise is often seen as a sign of respect for the audience's time and attention. The value placed on brevity contrasts with more elaborate styles that may be appreciated in some Western contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 简要 with the word 简单, thinking they mean the same. For example, saying '这本书是简要的' (This book is simple) instead of '这本书是简要的总结' (This book is a brief summary) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 简要
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 简要 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 简要 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 简要
简要 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 3
Complete the Sentence
首相已听取了她议会助手的____汇报。
The Prime Minister has been briefed by her parliamentary aides.
Example Sentences for 简要 (3)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
首相已听取了她议会助手的简要汇报。
shǒu xiāng yǐ tīng qǔ le tā yì huì zhù shǒu de jiǎn yào huì bào。
The Prime Minister has been briefed by her parliamentary aides.
2
导游简要地介绍了那个遗址的历史。
dǎo yóu jiǎn yào dì jiè shào le nà gè yí zhǐ de lì shǐ。
A guide gives a brief talk on the history of the site.
We begin with a brief and necessarily incomplete review of UK statistics.
Cultural Notes for 简要
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese academic and professional settings, being concise is often seen as a sign of respect for the audience's time and attention. The value placed on brevity contrasts with more elaborate styles that may be appreciated in some Western contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions about 简要
You can say, '请给我一个简要的总结' (Please give me a brief summary).
简要 is typically used in formal contexts and is less common in everyday conversations.
No, 简要 specifically refers to the brevity or conciseness of information, not personal traits.
