一概而论

yī gài ér lùn

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Rare

Save to list

Definitions

1. to lump different matters together (idiom)

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial $9.99 / year

Lifetime for $19.99 Try the 30-second demo

Word relationships

Synonyms

2 items

• 以偏概全 yǐ piān gài quán 以偏概全 yǐ piān gài quán (lit.) to take a part for the whole Both mean to generalize improperly, but 一概而论 emphasizes treating different things the same, while 以偏概全 emphasizes judging the whole by a part.: (lit.) to take a part for the whole
• 混为一谈 hùn wéi yī tán 混为一谈 hùn wéi yī tán to confuse one thing with another (idiom); to muddle Both involve confusing different things; 混为一谈 means to confuse or mix up, often used in similar negative contexts.: to confuse one thing with another (idiom); to muddle

Usage notes

Common mistakes

一概而论 is almost always used in negative structures, e.g., 不能一概而论, 不可一概而论, 未可一概而论. Using it affirmatively is a common error.

Example Sentences

1 shown

这些问题很复杂，不能 一概而论 。

These issues are very complex and cannot be lumped together.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 一概而论

• 一 一 yī: one
• 一概 一概 yī gài: all
• 而 而 ér: and
• 概 概 gài: general
• 论 论 lùn: opinion