jùtǐ: 具体 - Concrete, Specific, Particular

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• Summary: Learn the essential HSK 4 Chinese word 具体 (jùtǐ), which translates to 'concrete,' 'specific,' or 'particular.' This comprehensive guide explores what jùtǐ means, how to use it in daily conversation to ask for specifics or make concrete plans, and clarifies the key difference between 具体 (jùtǐ) and 详细 (xiángxì). Master this term to move beyond vague descriptions and communicate with clarity and precision in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jù tǐ
• Part of Speech: Adjective (can be used adverbially with `地`)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Pertaining to a particular, tangible, or definite thing; not general or abstract.
• In a Nutshell: 具体 (jùtǐ) is the bridge from abstract ideas to the real world. Think of it as the opposite of “vague” or “general.” If someone tells you they have a “plan,” you use 具体 to ask what that plan *actually* is. It's about getting down to the who, what, where, and when.

• 具 (jù): This character originally depicted two hands holding up a tripod vessel, and came to mean “tool,” “utensil,” or more broadly, “to possess” or “to have.” In this word, it contributes the sense of “having substance.”
• 体 (tǐ): This character relates to the “body,” “form,” or “substance” of something. It's the same character in `身体 (shēntǐ)`, meaning “body.”
• When combined, 具体 (jùtǐ) literally means “to possess a body/form.” This perfectly captures the idea of something being tangible, real, and not just a floating concept—hence, “concrete” or “specific.”

While 具体 (jùtǐ) doesn't carry the deep philosophical weight of a term like `关系 (guānxi)`, its frequent use reveals a core aspect of modern Chinese pragmatism. In business, academics, and even daily life, there is a strong emphasis on clarity and actionable information. In a Western context, a discussion might start with broad, abstract principles and gradually narrow down to specifics. In China, it's very common to be asked for 具体 details early on. A vague proposal is often met with the direct request, “具体点儿” (jùtǐ diǎnr) - “Be a bit more specific.” A famous and widely used phrase that encapsulates this mindset is 具体情况具体分析 (jùtǐ qíngkuàng jùtǐ fēnxī), which means “analyze specific situations specifically.” This idiom advises against applying rigid, one-size-fits-all rules, promoting instead a practical, case-by-case approach. It reflects a cultural value of flexibility and adapting to the actual, concrete reality of a situation.

具体 is a high-frequency word used in both formal and informal settings to pin down information.

This is the most common use for learners. When you feel a conversation is too general, you can use 具体 to request more clarity.

• `你能说得具体一点吗？` (Can you be a bit more specific?)
• `具体是什么意思？` (What does that mean, specifically?)

As an adjective, it modifies nouns to show they are not abstract.

• `我们需要一个具体的计划。` (We need a concrete plan.)
• `请给我一个具体的例子。` (Please give me a concrete example.)

When followed by `地 (de)`, it functions as an adverb meaning “in detail” or “specifically.”

• `我们明天具体地讨论一下这个问题。` (Let's discuss this problem in detail tomorrow.)
• Note: In spoken Chinese, the `地 (de)` is often omitted: `我们明天具体讨论一下。`

• Example 1:
  • 我需要一个具体的计划，而不是模糊的想法。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào yī ge jùtǐ de jìhuà, ér bùshì móhu de xiǎngfǎ.
  • English: I need a concrete plan, not a vague idea.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly contrasts 具体 (concrete/specific) with its opposite, `模糊` (vague).
• Example 2:
  • 你能说得具体一点吗？我没太听懂。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng shuō de jùtǐ yīdiǎn ma? Wǒ méi tài tīng dǒng.
  • English: Can you be a little more specific? I didn't quite understand.
  • Analysis: A crucial phrase for any learner. `…得具体一点` is a standard way to ask for more specifics.
• Example 3:
  • 关于会议的时间，我们还没有具体的安排。
  • Pinyin: Guānyú huìyì de shíjiān, wǒmen hái méiyǒu jùtǐ de ānpái.
  • English: Regarding the meeting time, we don't have a specific arrangement yet.
  • Analysis: Shows how 具体 is used to describe plans or schedules that have been finalized.
• Example 4:
  • 老师用一个具体的例子解释了这个语法点。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī yòng yī ge jùtǐ de lìzi jiěshìle zhè ge yǔfǎ diǎn.
  • English: The teacher used a specific example to explain this grammar point.
  • Analysis: Highlights its use in educational or explanatory contexts. A `具体的例子` (specific example) is much better than an abstract rule.
• Example 5:
  • 具体情况要具体分析，我们不能一概而论。
  • Pinyin: Jùtǐ qíngkuàng yào jùtǐ fēnxī, wǒmen bùnéng yīgài'érlùn.
  • English: Specific situations need to be analyzed specifically; we can't make sweeping generalizations.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and important idiom. It showcases the pragmatic thinking associated with the term.
• Example 6:
  • 请告诉我你的具体地址，我好把包裹寄给你。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng gàosu wǒ nǐ de jùtǐ dìzhǐ, wǒ hǎo bǎ bāoguǒ jì gěi nǐ.
  • English: Please tell me your specific address so I can mail the package to you.
  • Analysis: A very practical, everyday use of the word. A general area isn't enough; you need a 具体 address.
• Example 7:
  • 他的报告一点儿也不具体，全是空话。
  • Pinyin: Tā de bàogào yīdiǎnr yě bù jùtǐ, quán shì kōnghuà.
  • English: His report wasn't specific at all; it was all empty talk.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative consequence of not being 具体. `空话 (kōnghuà)` means “empty talk.”
• Example 8:
  • 我们明天具体讨论合同的细节。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen míngtiān jùtǐ tǎolùn hétong de xìjié.
  • English: Tomorrow we will discuss the details of the contract specifically.
  • Analysis: Here, 具体 is used adverbially (the `地` is omitted, as is common in speech) to mean “to discuss in a specific, detailed manner.”
• Example 9:
  • 这个项目的具体负责人是谁？
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge xiàngmù de jùtǐ fùzérén shì shéi?
  • English: Who is the specific person in charge of this project?
  • Analysis: Used in a business or work context to pinpoint responsibility.
• Example 10:
  • 我还不清楚旅行的具体行程。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hái bù qīngchu lǚxíng de jùtǐ xíngchéng.
  • English: I'm still not clear on the specific itinerary for the trip.
  • Analysis: Used with `行程 (xíngchéng)` or “itinerary,” another common collocation for planning.

• 具体 (jùtǐ) vs. 详细 (xiángxì): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 具体 (jùtǐ) means specific (the opposite of abstract).
  • 详细 (xiángxì) means detailed (the opposite of brief).
  • Think of it this way: a plan can be specific without being detailed.
    • `My plan: Go to Beijing.` - This is specific (具体), but not detailed (不详细).
    • `My plan: At 9:05 AM on Tuesday, take train G87 from Shanghai Hongqiao to Beijing South, stay at the Park Hyatt, and visit the Forbidden City on Wednesday afternoon.` - This is both specific (具体) and detailed (详细).
  • You ask for 具体 when you don't know *what* the thing is. You ask for 详细 when you know what it is, but want *more information* about it.
• False Friend: “Concrete” the material:
  • 具体 (jùtǐ) means “concrete” as in an idea or plan. It NEVER refers to the grey building material.
  • Incorrect: `这条路是具体做的。` (This road is made of specific.)
  • Correct: `这条路是混凝土 (hùnníngtǔ)做的。` (This road is made of concrete.)

• 抽象 (chōuxiàng) - The direct antonym of 具体; means “abstract.”
• 详细 (xiángxì) - A close synonym meaning “detailed.” Often used together with 具体.
• 模糊 (móhu) - An antonym meaning “vague, blurry, indistinct.”
• 情况 (qíngkuàng) - “Situation” or “circumstances,” often used in the phrase `具体情况` (the specific situation).
• 计划 (jìhuà) - “Plan,” a word that is often described as being 具体 or not.
• 内容 (nèiróng) - “Content,” as in `具体内容` (the specific content).
• 安排 (ānpái) - “Arrangement,” another concept that requires specificity.
• 细节 (xìjié) - “Details.” You might `具体讨论细节` (specifically discuss the details).