Summarizing a Short Chinese Story: Say the Main Point in Three Sentences
Learn to summarize a short Chinese story or article in a few sentences using 这个故事讲的是, 主要, 最后 and 总的来说. Focus on main points, not detailed retelling.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you summarize in Chinese, you do not retell every event. You say who or what the story is about, what the main problem or action is, and how it ends or what it means. This lesson gives you a small set of sentence frames for that job: 这个故事讲的是…… (This story is about...), 主要…… (mainly...), 最后…… (in the end...), and 总的来说…… (in general / overall...). These frames work for short stories, news articles, and short videos. Keep each sentence short. One sentence for the topic, one or two for the main action, and one for the result or message. Do not list every character or every event; your listener wants the main point, not a full retelling.
By the end, you can…
- state what a short story or article is about in one Chinese sentence.
- use 主要, 最后 and 总的来说 to summarize main points without retelling every detail.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
这个故事讲的是……
This story is about...
zhè ge gùshi jiǎng de shì……
Use this to open a summary and name the topic. It works for stories, articles and videos.
主要说的是……
It mainly says / is mainly about...
zhǔyào shuō de shì……
Use 主要 to focus on the main point and leave out details.
最后……
In the end... / Finally...
zuìhòu……
Use this to give the ending or result of the story.
总的来说……
Overall... / In general...
zǒng de lái shuō……
Use this to give a short overall comment or message at the end of your summary.
这个故事告诉我们……
This story tells us...
zhè ge gùshi gàosu wǒmen……
Use this for a fable or a story with a lesson or moral.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A clear Chinese summary often follows this order: 这个故事讲的是 + topic, 主要说的是 + main action, 最后 + result, 总的来说 + comment. For example: 这个故事讲的是一个男孩和一只狗。主要说的是他们一起找回家的路。最后他们找到了家。总的来说，这是一个关于友谊的故事。 Each sentence is short. You do not need to name every person or every event. If the article is not a story, you can change 这个故事 to 这篇文章 (zhè piān wénzhāng, this article).
When to use it
Use this pattern when a teacher, friend or colleague asks 这个故事讲了什么？ (What is this story about?) or 这篇文章主要说什么？ (What does this article mainly say?). In class, a three-sentence answer is usually enough. In a conversation, you can also say 简单来说…… (jiǎndān lái shuō..., simply put...) before your summary. If you want to check your understanding, add 对吗？ (duì ma?, right?) at the end. Avoid giving a long retelling unless the other person asks for more details.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
这个故事讲了什么？
What is this story about?zhè ge gùshi jiǎng le shénme?这个故事讲的是一个小女孩和她的猫。主要说的是猫走丢了，小女孩去找它。
This story is about a little girl and her cat. It is mainly about the cat getting lost and the girl looking for it.zhè ge gùshi jiǎng de shì yí ge xiǎo nǚhái hé tā de māo. zhǔyào shuō de shì māo zǒu diū le, xiǎo nǚhái qù zhǎo tā.最后呢？
And in the end?zuìhòu ne?最后她找到了猫。总的来说，这是一个关于爱的故事。
In the end she found the cat. Overall, it is a story about love.zuìhòu tā zhǎo dào le māo. zǒng de lái shuō, zhè shì yí ge guānyú ài de gùshi.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese classrooms and workplaces, summaries are often expected to be short and ordered: topic first, then main point, then result. 这个故事讲的是 is neutral and works in class, while 简单来说 is common in casual conversation. Do not feel you must mention every character; leaving out details is normal and often preferred.
One thing to watch for
Retelling every event: 有一个女孩，她有一只猫，猫叫 Mimi，有一天猫出去了，女孩很着急，她去了公园，去了商店……
Try this instead: Give the main point instead: 这个故事讲的是一个小女孩和她的猫。主要说的是猫走丢了，小女孩去找它。最后她找到了猫。 Use 主要 to signal that you are choosing the main point, not listing everything.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you begin a summary and say 'This story is about a boy and a bird'?
Show a sample answer
这个故事讲的是一个男孩和一只鸟。
这个故事讲的是 introduces the topic. 一个男孩和一只鸟 gives the main characters without retelling events.
2Which phrase do you use to give the ending of a story?
Show a sample answer
最后……
最后 means 'in the end' and introduces the result. 总的来说 is for an overall comment, not the ending.
3Summarize in one sentence: an article says many students sleep late and then feel tired in class.
Show a sample answer
这篇文章主要说的是很多学生睡得晚，所以上课很累。
这篇文章 changes 这个故事 for an article, and 主要说的是 focuses on the main point. Other word orders are possible if the meaning stays clear.
Summarize in three short moves: 这个故事讲的是 + topic, 主要说的是 + main point, 最后 + result. Add 总的来说 for a final comment.
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