つまり・すなわち
Restate the point in other words
You’ll be able to summarize or rephrase information, choosing a more conversational or more formal connector as appropriate.
もう暗い。つまり、帰る時間だ。
mou kurai. tsumari, kaeru jikan da.
What do you think this sentence means?
It is already dark. In other words, it is time to go home.
Rephrase or summarize a point
つまり and すなわち mean "in other words" or "that is to say". They rephrase, clarify, or summarize a preceding explanation into simpler or more definitive terms.
私は一人っ子です。つまり、兄弟がいません。
watashi wa hitorikko desu. tsumari, kyoudai ga imasen.
I am an only child. In other words, I have no brothers or sisters.
この本の漢字がほとんど読めない。つまり、私にはまだ難しい。
kono hon no kanji ga hotondo yomenai. tsumari, watashi ni wa mada muzukashii.
I can hardly read any of the kanji in this book. In other words, it is still too hard for me.
Use つまり or すなわち to restate a point
Place つまり or すなわち before the concluding summary, definition, or rephrased point. Sentences frequently end with ということだ, わけだ, or だ.
明日は祝日です。すなわち、学校も会社も休みということです。
ashita wa shukujitsu desu. sunawachi, gakkou mo kaisha mo yasumi to iu koto desu.
Tomorrow is a national holiday. That is to say, both schools and offices are closed.
つまり vs すなわち
Both mean “in other words”. つまり is used every day, in speech and writing. すなわち is formal and appears mostly in writing, speeches and definitions.
つまり, in other words (everyday)
日本の首都、つまり東京は人口が多い。
nihon no shuto, tsumari toukyou wa jinkou ga ooi.
The capital of Japan, in other words Tokyo, has a large population.
Fine in conversation.
すなわち, that is to say (formal)
日本の首都、すなわち東京は人口が多い。
nihon no shuto, sunawachi toukyou wa jinkou ga ooi.
The capital of Japan, that is to say Tokyo, has a large population.
Sounds written, like a textbook or a speech.
この薬は一日三回、食後に飲んでください。つまり、朝・昼・晩のご飯の後に飲むということです。
kono kusuri wa ichinichi sankai, shokugo ni nonde kudasai. tsumari, asa, hiru, ban no gohan no ato ni nomu to iu koto desu.
Please take this medicine three times a day after meals. In other words, take it after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
「最近、姉が毎日お弁当を二つ作ってるんだ。」「つまり、恋人ができたってこと？」
“saikin, ane ga mainichi obentou o futatsu tsukutteru n da.” “tsumari, koibito ga dekita tte koto?”
“Lately my sister has been making two lunches every day.” “You mean she has a boyfriend or girlfriend now?”
予約が取れたのは来年の四月だった。つまり、あと半年も待たなければならない。
yoyaku ga toreta no wa rainen no shigatsu datta. tsumari, ato hantoshi mo matanakereba naranai.
The earliest booking I could get was next April. In other words, I have to wait six more months.
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