ということは

that is to say, so that means, in other words, that means

AI-generated

Structure

[sentence] + ということは、[sentence] [noun] + (だ) + ということは、[sentence] ということは、[sentence]

Description

ということは means "that means", "so": it takes a fact and leads into what follows from it. It goes after a plain-form sentence, or stands at the start of a sentence and points back at what was just said. The conclusion usually ends in ということだ, はずだ, だろう or んだ.

、。

The light is on, so someone must be there.

、。

If he isn't coming, that means there's nobody but us to do it.

、。

Nobody objected, which means everyone agreed.

Checking you have understood

At the start of a reply, ということは draws the conclusion from what the other person said, and a question checks that it is right.

あAきごう：。bBきごう：、きごう？

A: I'm being transferred to Tokyo next month. B: So you're moving?

きごう？、きごう？

You failed? So you'll be studying another year?

In casual speech it shortens to ってことは.

、。

Tomorrow's a day off, so I can stay up late tonight.

ということは or つまり

restates the same thing in other words. ということは moves on to something new that follows from it.

、。

He is my mother's younger brother – in other words, my uncle.

、。

The shop is shut, so today must be its regular day off.

Examples

、。

The fact that she's angry means something must have happened.

、。

The store being closed means today is probably a regular holiday.

あAきごう：。bBきごう：、。

A: I heard Mr. Tanaka quit. B: So that means we need to find someone new, right?

、きごう？

The fact that you can speak Japanese – does that mean you've lived in Japan?

、。

The fact that nobody objected means everyone was in agreement.

、。

If your salary isn't going up, that means you might want to consider changing jobs.

、きごう？

He's here, so that means the meeting is already over?

、。

The fact that there's no reply probably means they're not interested.

、。

It's snowing, which means the temperature must have dropped quite a bit.

あAきごう：。bBきごう：、きごう？

A: It sounds like Sato is coming to tomorrow's party too. B: So that means everyone will be there?

、。

The fact that you could solve this problem means you must already have a solid understanding of the basics.

References

ということはBunpro