归纳 (guī nà) is a verb meaning 'to generalize' or 'to summarize' — the process of drawing broad conclusions from specific observations or examples. The character 归 (guī) means 'to return' or 'to classify', while 纳 (nà) means 'to receive', 'to absorb', or 'to incorporate'. Together, they evoke the idea of bringing scattered facts or cases back together and incorporating them into a unified, higher-level pattern or principle.

This word is frequently used in academic, analytical, and everyday reasoning contexts — for instance, when reviewing study notes, analyzing survey results, or reflecting on personal experiences. It implies logical organization and abstraction, distinguishing it from simple listing or repetition. 归纳 contrasts with 演绎 (yǎn yì), which means 'deduction' — moving from general principles to specific instances. While 归纳 often appears in formal writing and education, it’s also common in spoken Chinese when people reflect on patterns in behavior, trends, or learning.