要領

ようりょう

gist, essentials, outline

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Understanding 要領

The word 要領 (ようりょう) refers to the gist, essentials, or the main point of something. It is often used when talking about understanding or summarizing the core of a task, explanation, or concept.

Common Uses

  1. Grasping the essentials of a task or work (仕事の要領をつかむ).
  2. Explaining something efficiently by focusing on the main points (要領よく説明する).
  3. Describing someone who is skillful or efficient in handling things (要領がいい).

Collocations and Patterns

  • 要領をつかむ: to grasp the gist or essentials.
  • 要領よく: adverb meaning 'efficiently' or 'skillfully'.
  • 要領がいい: describes a person who is clever or good at managing things.

Usage Notes

When using 要領, speakers imply focusing on the most important parts rather than details. It often carries a nuance of efficiency or cleverness, especially in the phrase 要領がいい. Avoid confusing 要領 with detailed instructions; it emphasizes the summary or key points.

Register

This word is neutral and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in business or everyday conversation when discussing tasks or skills.

Example Sentences

しごとのようりょうをつかむのにじかんがかかった。

It took me some time to grasp the gist of the work.

ようりょうよくせつめいするために、ポイントをまとめてはなした。

To explain efficiently, I summarized the main points before speaking.

かれはようりょうがいいので、しごとがはやい。

He is skillful at handling things, so he works quickly.