1.
general remarks; overview; general discussion
A broad, high-level discussion or summary of a topic before going into specific details. Used in academic writing, textbooks, and formal presentations to refer to the introductory or overview section that covers principles and framework before detailed case-by-case analysis.
まず総論から始めよう。
Let's start with the overview first.
教科書の第一章は総論にあたる。
The first chapter of the textbook corresponds to the general overview.
総論賛成、各論反対という態度では何も進まない。
Nothing will get done with an attitude of agreeing in principle but opposing every detail.
Compound of 総 ('general; overall') and 論 ('discussion; argument'). Contrasts with 各論 ('detailed discussion of individual topics'). The pair 総論/各論 is a fundamental organizing concept in Japanese academic and professional writing — textbooks, legal codes, and reports often begin with a 総論 section before proceeding to 各論.
USAGE:
- The set phrase 総論賛成、各論反対 ('agree in general, oppose in specifics') describes a very common pattern in Japanese consensus-building where everyone supports a policy in principle but objects to specific implementation measures.
- In medical and legal textbooks, 総論 is a formal structural label for the introductory portion.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 総論と各論: general overview and specific topics
- 総論賛成: agreement in principle
- 総論的な議論: general-level discussion
- 総論部分: overview section
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 各論: detailed discussion of specific topics — the counterpart to 総論, covering individual cases
- 概論: introductory survey — a general overview of a field, often used in course titles (e.g., 経済学概論 'Introduction to Economics')
- 序論: introduction — the opening section of a paper or book, distinct from 総論 in that it sets up the work rather than surveying principles