つまり | Grammar

Structure

[sentence]。つまり、[sentence]。 [noun]、つまり [noun]

Description

つまり means "that is", "in other words": what comes after it says the same thing as what came before, more plainly or more exactly. It opens the second sentence, or sits between a word and the plainer word that explains it.

。、。

He is my mother's older brother. That is, he is my uncle.

。、。

This store is closed every Monday. So it's not open today.

、。

My father's older brother – my uncle – came.

Drawing the conclusion

After a fact, つまり gives what follows from it: "which means". The sentence often ends in ということだ.

。、。

The lights are on. That means someone is there.

。、。

He didn't say anything. That means he agreed.

As a question, it checks that you have understood the other person.

、きごう？

So you're saying you're against it?

つまり or 要するに

Both can cut a long explanation down to its point. ようするに要するに does only that, and it can sound impatient, as if the speaker wants the talking to stop. つまり is neutral, and it also restates something short, which 要するに doesn't do.

、、。

I've explained a lot, but in short, this project is cancelled.

、きごう？

Basically, you're short of money, right?

× 母の兄、要するにおじ → 母の兄、つまりおじ

Examples

。、。

She is my father's younger sister. In other words, she is my aunt.

。、。

I failed the exam. In other words, I have to study for another year.

、きごう？

In other words, are you saying you're against it?

、。、。

My salary decreased and rent went up. In short, life became harder.

。、。

He didn't say anything. That is to say, he agreed.

。、。

This store's regular closing day is every Monday. In other words, it's not open today.

、。

In short, we should have left earlier.

。、。

The president isn't coming. That means the meeting is postponed.

、きごう？

I listened to a long story, but in short, what are you trying to say?

。、。

He's late every day. In other words, he probably has no motivation.

。、。

The budget isn't enough. In short, we have to change the plan.

References

つまりBunpro