Although the different phrases involving 来说 (láishuō) may seem pretty different, they do share a common structure: a word or short phrase at the beginning of a sentence, followed by 来说, which sets the speaker's attitude or point of view before launching into the full comment.

Common Phrases

Using 来说 with 一般

Examples

一般来说 ，我周末不会加班。 Yībān lái shuō, wǒ zhōumò bù huì jiābān.Generally speaking, I don't work on weekend.
一般来说 ，女生都觉得瘦一点更好看。 Yībān lái shuō, nǚshēng dōu juéde shòu yīdiǎn gèng hǎokàn.Generally speaking, girls all think they look better if they're thinner.
一般来说 ， 18 岁以上的美国公民都可以投票。 Yībān lái shuō, shíbā suì yǐshàng de Měiguó gōngmín dōu kěyǐ tóupiào.Generally speaking, American citizens who's 18 or over 18 can vote.

Using 来说 with 总的

Examples

总的来说 ，我对大家很满意。 Zǒng de lái shuō, wǒ duì dàjiā hěn mǎnyì.I'm satisfied with everybody in general.
总的来说 ，这次活动很成功。 Zǒng de lái shuō, zhè cì huódòng hěn chénggōng.This event was a success in general.
总的来说 ，你今年的表现不错。 Zǒng de lái shuō, nǐ jīnnián de biǎoxiàn bùcuò.Your performance this year is great in general.
总的来说 ，我们的新产品很受年轻人的欢迎。 Zǒng de lái shuō, wǒmen de xīn chǎnpǐn hěn shòu niánqīng rén de huānyíng.Our new product is popular with young people in general.

Using 来说 with 相对

Examples

今天的考试 相对来说 有点难。Relatively, today's test is a little difficult.
相对来说，我更支持 Hillary。Relatively, I support Hillary more.

Using 来说 with 严格

Examples

严格来说 ，我们的员工不能穿牛仔裤上班。 Yángé lái shuō, wǒmen de yuángōng bù néng chuān niúzǎikù shàngbān.Strictly speaking, our employees can't wear jeans to work.
严格来说 ，他是华裔，不是中国人。 Yángé lái shuō, tā shì huáyì, bù shì Zhōngguó rén.Technically, he is an American born Chinese, not a Chinese.

Using 来说 with 具体

Examples

少开车有很多好处， 具体来说 ，它可以保护环境，改善交通，也可以让我们多运动。 Shǎo kāichē yǒu hěn duō hǎochù, jùtǐ lái shuō, tā kěyǐ bǎohù huánjìng, gǎishàn jiāotōng, yě kěyǐ ràng wǒmen duō yùndòng.We benefit a lot from driving less often. Specifically, it can protect the environment, improve the traffic, and also make us exercise more.

Common Phrases

Using 来说 with 一般

Examples

Using 来说 with 总的

Examples

Using 来说 with 相对

Examples

Using 来说 with 严格

Examples

Using 来说 with 具体

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books