Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:
   • Generally speaking / in general: Used to introduce a statement that is true in most cases or that summarizes the overall situation, while acknowledging there may be exceptions.
   • Overall / all in all: Used to give a broad conclusion or summary after considering various details.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Thời tiết miền Nam, nói chung, là nóng và ẩm. (The weather in the South, generally speaking, is hot and humid.)
  • Dự án có một vài vấn đề nhỏ, nhưng nói chung thì rất thành công. (The project had a few minor issues, but overall it was very successful.)
  • Nói chung, mọi người đều đồng ý với đề xuất này. (In general, everyone agrees with this proposal.)

Advanced Usage

• Used at the beginning of a sentence to set a general context.
  • Nói chung, trẻ em học ngôn ngữ rất nhanh. (Generally speaking, children learn languages very quickly.)
• Used in the middle of a sentence, often set off by commas, to qualify a statement.
  • Cô ấy, nói chung, là một người rất dễ tính. (She is, in general, a very easygoing person.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhìn chung (adverbial phrase): On the whole, generally. Often interchangeable with "nói chung."
  • Nhìn chung, tình hình đã được cải thiện. (On the whole, the situation has improved.)
• Đại khái (adverb): Roughly, approximately. Can sometimes be used similarly but focuses more on approximation than summary.
  • Tôi hiểu đại khái ý của anh. (I roughly understand your point.)

Synonyms

• Generally: In most cases; usually.
• Overall: Taking everything into account.
• By and large: On the whole; for the most part.
• All in all: Considering everything.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Nói chung lại / Tóm lại: To sum up, in conclusion. Used to introduce a final summary.
  • Nói chung lại, chúng ta cần cẩn thận hơn. (To sum up, we need to be more careful.)
• Nói chung thì: A common conversational filler meaning "so generally..." or "well, overall..."
  • Nói chung thì cuộc sống ở đây khá thoải mái. (So generally, life here is quite relaxed.)

1. Generally speaking