概括 means 'to summarize' or 'to generalize' — it refers to the act of concisely capturing the main points or essential features of something longer or more complex. The character 概 (gài) conveys 'general' or 'rough idea', while 括 (kuò) means 'to include' or 'to encompass'. Together, they express the idea of gathering and condensing key elements into a brief, coherent whole. This verb is commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday contexts — for example, when reviewing a report, explaining a story, or distilling someone’s argument.

It functions as a transitive verb and typically takes a noun phrase or clause as its object (e.g., 概括主要内容, 概括一下). It often appears in formal or semi-formal speech and writing, though it’s also natural in spoken Chinese when clarity and efficiency are valued. Unlike casual terms like 总结 (zǒngjié), 概括 emphasizes conceptual abstraction and breadth rather than just conclusion or review.