一概而论

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yī gài ér lùn
• English Translation: To lump everything together (to generalize)
• Idiom Composition: 「一」（All, uniformly）＋「概」（Originally a rod used to level grain; by extension, it means 'generally' or 'uniformly'）＋「而」（A conjunction used to connect the manner of an action to the action itself）＋「论」（To discuss, judge, or treat）
• Meaning: To treat things with different natures or circumstances uniformly without making distinctions. In modern Chinese, it is almost always used with negative words like 不能 (bù néng) to mean 'cannot be generalized' or 'cannot be lumped together.'

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「一概而论」 contains the following nuances:

• Primarily Used in Negative Sentences: The phrase 不能一概而论 (bù néng yī gài ér lùn), meaning 'cannot be generalized,' has become a fixed expression. It is rarely used in affirmative sentences to suggest that one 'should' generalize.
• Ignoring Individual Circumstances: The idiom carries a nuance of being reckless by ignoring specific differences. Therefore, negating this idiom is often an argument for the principle of 'analyzing specific problems specifically.'

3. Usage

「一概而论」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Discussion and Analysis (Negative form): The most common way to caution that 'not everything is the same' when discussing complex problems or diverse groups of people.
  • Example:「每个学生的学习方法都不同，不能一概而论。」
    （Every student has a different learning method, so they cannot be lumped together.）
• Rejecting Stereotypes: Often used to warn against stereotypical views of a specific group, country, or culture.
  • Example:「虽然有些产品质量不好，但不能对所有国货都一概而论。」
    （Although some products are of poor quality, we should not generalize across the board for all domestic goods.）

Additional Examples:

1. 成功的路径因人而异，岂能一概而论？
   （The paths to success vary from person to person; how can they be treated as the same?）
2. 这两种情况背景完全不同，不可一概而论。
   （These two situations have completely different backgrounds and must not be lumped together.）
3. 对于这种复杂的社会现象，我们切忌一概而论。
   （We must avoid making a blanket judgment about such a complex social phenomenon.）
4. 虽然他是新手，但能力很强，不能与其他新人一概而论。
   （Although he is a newcomer, his ability is very high and he cannot be put in the same category as other beginners.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Frequency: This is an extremely common expression in modern Chinese editorials, academic writing, and daily debates.
• Logical Thinking: In Chinese discourse, the phrase 具体问题具体分析 (jù tǐ wèn tí jù tǐ fēn xī), meaning 'analyze specific problems specifically,' is a core principle. 一概而论 (yī gài ér lùn) serves as its logical opposite—the rejection of overgeneralization.
• Etymology: The character 概 (gài) originally referred to a leveling rod used to strike off excess grain in a measuring cup to ensure a flat surface. From this physical act of 'leveling' comes the abstract meaning of making things uniform or general.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 混为一谈 (hùn wéi yī tán): To confuse or jumble two different things together as if they were the same.link
  • 相提并论 (xiāng tí bìng lùn): To place two things on the same level and discuss them together (often used for things that are not comparable).link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 具体分析 (jù tǐ fēn xī): To analyze specifically; to look at the unique details of a situation rather than generalizing.
  • 因材施教 (yīn cái shī jiào): To teach according to the student's individual ability, rather than treating everyone with a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • 因人而异 (yīn rén ér yì): Varies from person to person.link
  • 截然不同 (jié rán bù tóng): Completely different; poles apart.link

6. Summary

一概而论 (yī gài ér lùn) refers to the act of treating diverse things as if they were all the same. In modern usage, it is a crucial expression in logical contexts to criticize the oversimplification of complex issues, typically appearing in the negative form to argue that 'one cannot generalize.'