1.
knack, trick, key point of doing something
The essential skill or technique needed to do something effectively. Often used with verbs like つかむ or 得る to describe learning how to do something well.
要領をつかむ。
Get the knack of it.
要領がいい人はすぐに上達する。
People who are quick at picking things up improve fast.
最初は苦労したが、要領をつかんでからは作業が格段に速くなった。
I struggled at first, but after getting the knack of it, the work became much faster.
2.
gist, main points, essentials, outline
The key points or summary of a matter. Used in formal or administrative contexts for guidelines, instructions, or outlines of procedures.
話の要領を得ない。
I can't grasp the gist of the story.
実施要領に従って手続きを進めてください。
Please proceed with the process according to the implementation guidelines.
学習指導要領は約10年ごとに改訂される。
The Course of Study guidelines are revised approximately every ten years.
USAGE NOTE:
The expression 要領がいい describes someone who is good at picking things up quickly or who works efficiently. Conversely, 要領が悪い means clumsy or inefficient. 要領がいい can also carry a slightly negative nuance of being cunning or cutting corners skillfully.
The set phrase 要領を得ない means "not getting to the point" or "hard to follow," used when someone's explanation is vague or roundabout.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 要領をつかむ (get the knack)
- 要領がいい (quick to pick things up, efficient)
- 要領が悪い (slow, inefficient)
- 要領を得ない (not to the point)
- 実施要領 (implementation guidelines)