adjective HSK 5
Traditional 籠統
lǒng tǒng
general · vague · broad · lacking in detail

Meaning

笼统 describes something that is general, vague, or lacking in specific details. It refers to statements, descriptions, or plans that are too broad or unclear, without precision or specificity. The word often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that more detail or clarity would be preferable.

Usage

Native speakers commonly use 笼统 to criticize statements or plans that are too general or unclear. It frequently appears in phrases like 笼统地说 (to put it broadly) or 太笼统了 (too vague). The word is more common in written or formal contexts than casual conversation, and is often used when someone wants more specific information.

Examples

  1. 01
    你的计划太笼统了,能不能说得具体一点?
    de huà tài lǒng tǒng le, néng néng shuō de diǎn?
    Your plan is too vague. Can you be more specific?
  2. 02
    笼统地说,这个项目需要三个月的时间。
    Lǒng tǒng de shuō, zhè ge xiàng yào sān ge yuè de shí jiān.
    Speaking generally, this project will take three months.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 笼统地说
    lǒng tǒng de shuō
    to speak generally/broadly
  • 笼统
    tài lǒng tǒng
    too vague
  • 笼统的概念
    lǒng tǒng de gài niàn
    vague concept
  • 笼统的回答
    lǒng tǒng de huí
    vague answer

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 笼 (to envelop/cover) with 统 (to unify/gather), creating the sense of covering things together in a general way without distinction or detail.

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