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What does "ざっくり (zakkuri)" mean and how to use it? Polite Business Paraphrases

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Woman looking up the term "ざっくり" in a book


Have you ever heard the term "ざっくり (zakkuri)"? You may have had trouble understanding its meaning in Japanese conversation. Although this term is often used in Japanese business situations, it is important to know the exact meaning, background, and proper usage.

This article is an easy-to-understand explanation of the meaning, usage, and examples of "ざっくり" used in business situations. Read this article to learn the meaning of "ざっくり" well!

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The correct meaning of "ざっくり (zakkuri)" is explained in simple terms.

The word "ざっくり" appears on the opened dictionary page.

The primary meaning of "ざっくり" is "broadly" or "without detail." This is often used in situations where one wants to avoid fine details and emphasize the main points or broad outlines. However, another meaning is "to cut at once" or "to break at once".
In business settings, it is used primarily in the sense of "roughly," meaning a brief explanation or general outline of the situation.

How to Pronounce "ざっくり (zakkuri)" Correctly

The pronunciation of "ざっくり" has the accent on the "za" in the first syllable, with a slight emphasis on the "kuri" part in particular.

Related Words and Synonyms with Similar Meanings to "ざっくり (zakkuri)"

Words with the same nuance as "ざっくり" include "大体 (roughly)" and "おおよそ (approximately)". These words are also often used to convey overall meaning or a general outline.

Synonyms and synonyms for "ざっくり (zakkuri)

Antonyms of "ざっくり" include "詳しく (in detail)" and "具体的に (specifically)", while a synonym would be "大まかに (roughly)".

  • antonym:"詳しく (in detail)", "具体的に (specifically)"
  • synonym:"大まかに (roughly)"

Usage of "ざっくり (zakkuri)" with example sentences

A man explains to a woman how to use the term "ざっくり".

Let's take a closer look at how the expression "ざっくり" is used, with examples of actual business situations. Through these examples, you will understand the specific usage of the phrase "ざっくり" and its effective use in your business communication.

Rules for using "ざっくり (zakkuri)"

The word "ざっくり" is mainly used as an adverb in sentences, combined with verbs, adjectives, or nouns. For example, it can be used in phrases like "ざっくり計画する (plan roughly)" or "ざっくりとした見積もり (rough estimate)", where "ざっくり" is combined with the verb "計画する (to plan)" or the noun "見積もり (estimate)". There is also the adjectival use "ざっくりした", which is used to indicate general characteristics or outlines.

Example sentences using "ざっくり (zakkuri)" in business situations

"ざっくりと説明します"
This expression is used to omit detailed figures and data and convey only the big picture or main points of a project.

"ここまでざっくりやっておいてください"
This statement implies an instruction to prepare only the general framework and to work on the details later. It is used to request that the work be completed in broad strokes, focusing only on the essentials.

Thus, when the term "ざっくり" is used, it is often used to imply that the focus is on the major points or main points and not on the details.

Examples of usage & paraphrasing in business situations

Men and women have different opinions.

The term "ざっくり" has a casual feel to it and should be avoided in business situations, depending on the person or situation. It is recommended that more formal wording be chosen, especially in formal documents and presentations.

For example, the expression "ざっくり" can be rephrased into the following more formal wording when used in business situations.

  • 大まかに (broadly): This gives a slightly more formal impression than "ざっくり", and is used to refer to main points or general frameworks.
  • 概略的に (in outline): This expression is used when referring to the general framework or main points of events or content.
  • 概要を述べる (to summarize): This is used when briefly explaining the main points or important parts of the whole.
  • 一般的に (generally): This is suitable when explaining something without referring to specific details.

These more formal expressions must be chosen appropriately for the particular context and situation. It is very important in business communication to recognize when casual language is acceptable and when more formal language is required.

If you want to know more about ◆Business Japanese, check out the following articles!

How do you say "ざっくり (zakkuri)" in English?

The Japanese nuance of "ざっくり" is mainly expressed in English by using words such as "broadly" and "roughly".

"Broadly" carries the meaning of "widely" or "roughly", and signifies explaining from an overall perspective or in a wide range without going into detailed content. This is a very close word to "ざっくり".

"Roughly" carries the meaning of "approximately" or "more or less", and is often used to indicate approximate numbers or outlines rather than precise accuracy.

These words, like "ざっくり," are useful when you want to convey general information without getting into details, or when you do not have specific numbers or details but want to give general directions.

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summary

The phrase "ざっくり" is very useful when you want to get a point across or just understand the big picture. However, in business situations, it is important to communicate clearly so as not to mislead others.
In addition, choosing the appropriate language for the situation allows for more effective communication.

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