Pangkalahatang

Pangkalahatang is a Filipino adjective derived from the root word “pangkalahatan,” which means “general,” “overall,” or “broad.” The formation follows the common pattern in Tagalog where the prefix “pangkaga-” can imply a sense of encompassing or surveying, and the suffix “-an” signals an abstract noun. As an adjective, pangkalahatang is used to describe something that is not limited to a particular subsection but instead applies to the whole group, general situation, or overall concept.

The term is frequently found in formal writing, journalism, and public policy. For example, a news article might state, “Pangkalahatang epekto ng pandemya ay nakitaan ng pagbabago sa ekonomiya” to indicate the “overall impact of the pandemic on the economy.” In academic contexts, researchers will refer to “pangkalahatang saliksik” (general research) to differentiate it from specialized studies. The word can also round off arguments by summarizing the “pangkalahatang pananaw” (overall perspective).

Pangkalahatang is versatile and can precede nouns, verbs, or entire phrases, functioning as a modifier that signals comprehensiveness. It remains widely used in contemporary Filipino prose, reflecting the language’s ability to concisely convey broad concepts.