Set phrase “一般来说”
In Chinese “一般来说” (yìbān láishuō) is a set phrase used to say how things usually or mostly are.
It usually stands at the beginning of the sentence.
In English it usually comes out as:
generally speaking
usually
in most cases
Basic Structure
一般来说，+ clause
Meaning: generally speaking, …
Examples
一般来说，熊猫每天要睡很多次觉。
Generally speaking, pandas sleep many times a day.
Structure
一般来说 + 熊猫每天要睡很多次觉
generally speaking + pandas sleep many times a day
一般来说 — generally speaking
熊猫 — panda
每天 — every day
要睡很多次觉 — sleeps many times
一般来说，这种树每年开一次花。
Generally speaking, this kind of tree flowers once a year.
Structure
一般来说 + 这种树每年开一次花
generally speaking + this kind of tree flowers once a year
一般来说 — generally speaking
这种树 — this kind of tree
每年 — every year
开一次花 — flowers once
一般来说，学习外语需要多练习。
Generally speaking, learning a foreign language takes a lot of practice.
Structure
一般来说 + 学习外语需要多练习
generally speaking + learning a foreign language takes a lot of practice
一般来说 — generally speaking
学习外语 — to learn a foreign language
需要 — needs
多练习 — to practise a lot
Quick Rule
一般来说，+ clause
Meaning: it states how something usually or mostly is.
Examples:
一般来说，熊猫每天要睡很多次觉。
Generally speaking, pandas sleep many times a day.
一般来说，这种树每年开一次花。
Generally speaking, this kind of tree flowers once a year.
一般来说，学习外语需要多练习。
Generally speaking, learning a foreign language takes a lot of practice.