Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 要約 | yōyaku | [jo̞ːja̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 概要 | gaiyō | [ɡa̠ijo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 大要 | taiyō | [ta̠ijo̞ː] (narrow) |
Japanese uses different words for a summary based on whether you are condensing text, providing an overview of a plan or describing the general outline of a situation. The term 要約 is used when the focus is on condensing the main points of a text or speech. You can also use the verb form 要約する to mean "to summarize". If you want to refer to a "summarized version" of a book or document, you can use 要約版.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 要約 is composed of the kanji 要 (meaning essential or key) and 約 (meaning promise, contract or to bind), which literally means to bind the essential points together.
Which one should you use?
While 要約 focuses on condensing the content of a text or speech, 概要 is used when providing a high-level overview or the general outline of a project, system or situation. 大要 is used to denote the general outline or the main elements of something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun 要約 as a verb meaning "to summarize", add the verb する to it to create 要約する.
How do you pronounce it?
yōyaku
Did you know?
- While 要約 is a general summary, the term あらすじ (arasuji) is used specifically for plot summaries of movies and novels.
- In Japanese, the kanji 約 used in 要約 also appears in the word for 'promise' 約束 (yakusoku), as both concepts involve the idea of 'binding' or 'fixing' something in place.
- In academic contexts, Japanese speakers often look for the 要旨 (yōshi). This is not just any summary, but a specific term for the 'gist' that captures the author's core intent.
Examples in context
- 要約を火曜日までに提出しなさい。Please send in your summary by Tuesday.This sentence is useful for practicing how to request the submission of a 要約.Tatoeba #78799 by mookeee, translation #324917 by CK
- すみません、この本の要旨を教えてください。Excuse me, could you tell me the summary of this book?
- 簡単に説明すると、この本は人間の絆についての物語です。In brief, this book is a story about human connections.
- このニュースの要約を読んでください。Kono nyuusu no youyaku o yonde kudasai.Please read the summary of this news.
- 物語の要約はとても分かりやすいです。Monogatari no youyaku wa totemo wakariyasui desu.The summary of the story is very easy to understand.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a report in the office.
- 結衣 Yuiレポートの要約は書きましたか？Repo-to no youyaku wa kakimashita ka?Did you write the summary of the report?
- 健太 Kentaはい、結衣さん、準備できています。Hai, Yui-san, junbi dekite imasu.Yes, Yui, it is ready.
- 結衣 Yui健太さん、後で送っておいてください。Kenta-san, ato de okutte oite kudasai.Kenta, please send it to me later.
- 健太 Kenta分かりました。すぐ送ります。Wakarimashita. Sugu okurimasu.Understood. I will send it immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “summary” translations and entries 要約, 概要, 大要, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
