大概 dàgài probably
probably; roughly; approximate
How to remember 大概: 大 big + 概 generally = probably.
Characters
How it is used
- A soft estimate - 大概十点 (dàgài shí diǎn) around ten, 大概两公里 (dàgài liǎng gōnglǐ) roughly two km.
- Also 'probably/most likely' about a guess - 他大概不来了 (tā dàgài bù lái le) he probably isn't coming.
- Sits between 一定 (certain) and 也许 (maybe): more confident than 也许, less than 应该.
Example sentences
- 我大概懂了。 Wǒ dàgài dǒng le.I sort of understand.
- 河水的水位大概是6米。 Héshuǐ de shuǐwèi dàgài shì liù mǐ.The water level of the river is about six meters.
- 火车大概会在中午前到站。 Huǒchē dàgài huì zài zhōngwǔ qiándào zhàn.The train will probably arrive at the station before noon.