Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== yějiùshìshuō: 也就是说 - In other words, That is to say, Which means ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 也就是说, yejiushishuo, Chinese conjunction, in other words in Chinese, that is to say, which means, how to clarify in Chinese, Chinese discourse marker, HSK 4 grammar, Chinese logic connectors. * **Summary:** 也就是说 (yě jiù shì shuō) is an essential Chinese phrase that acts as a bridge in conversation, connecting a statement to its clarification, implication, or conclusion. Functioning like "in other words," "that is to say," or "which means" in English, it is a crucial tool for both understanding nuanced Chinese and expressing your own thoughts with greater clarity. Mastering 也就是说 is key to moving beyond basic sentences and into more fluid, natural-sounding communication. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yě jiù shì shuō * **Part of Speech:** Conjunction / Discourse Marker * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** It means "in other words," "that is to say," or "which is to say." * **In a Nutshell:** Think of 也就是说 as a signpost in a sentence that says, "Okay, let me put what I just said a different way" or "Here's the logical conclusion of what I just mentioned." You use it to rephrase a complex idea into simpler terms, spell out an unspoken implication, or summarize the consequence of a situation. It's the glue that connects a statement with its clearer meaning. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **也 (yě):** Meaning "also" or "too." In this phrase, it helps to smoothly link the first idea to the second, adding a sense of "this also means..." * **就 (jiù):** A versatile character meaning "then," "exactly," or "precisely." Here, it emphasizes the direct logical link between the statement and the explanation. * **是 (shì):** The fundamental character for "to be," "is," or "yes." It acts as the core "is" in "that is to say." * **说 (shuō):** Meaning "to say" or "to speak." When combined, "也 (also) 就 (then) 是 (is) 说 (to say)" literally translates to "also then is to say." This construction elegantly forms the meaning of rephrasing or concluding, creating the natural English equivalent of "in other words." ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While 也就是说 is a functional phrase, its frequent use touches upon a subtle aspect of Chinese communication style. In many situations, Chinese communication can be less direct than in Western cultures. A speaker might first present a series of facts, observations, or a polite statement. Then, they use 也就是说 to explicitly connect the dots and state the conclusion or real meaning. For example, instead of directly saying "You can't stay overnight," a host might say, "Our guest policies require all visitors to leave by 10 PM." They might then follow up with, "**也就是说**，你今晚不能在这里过夜。" ("**In other words**, you can't stay here tonight.") This isn't about being deceptive; it's a communication strategy that often prioritizes providing context and reasoning before delivering a direct point. Using 也就是说 helps ensure clarity and mutual understanding without being overly blunt, thereby maintaining social harmony. For a learner, recognizing this phrase is a cue to pay close attention, as the most important point of the sentence is often about to be stated. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== 也就是说 is a neutral-formality phrase, making it incredibly versatile. You will hear it everywhere, from academic lectures and business meetings to casual chats among friends and posts on social media. * **Clarifying a Complex Point:** Used to simplify technical jargon, complex data, or an abstract idea. * **Drawing a Logical Conclusion:** To state the obvious or necessary outcome of a situation you've just described. * **Delivering Bad News Softly:** By stating a fact first and then using 也就是说 to explain the unfortunate implication (as in the cultural example above). * **Summarizing an Idea:** To quickly recap the main takeaway from a longer explanation. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 最后一班地铁已经开走了，**也就是说**，我们只能打车回家了。 * Pinyin: Zuìhòu yī bān dìtiě yǐjīng kāi zǒu le, **yě jiù shì shuō**, wǒmen zhǐ néng dǎchē huí jiā le. * English: The last subway train has already left, **which means** we can only take a taxi home. * Analysis: This is a classic example of drawing a direct, logical conclusion from a stated fact. The fact is the subway is gone; the conclusion is the need to take a taxi. * **Example 2:** * 他所有的考试都得了A+，**也就是说**，他是我们班最聪明的学生。 * Pinyin: Tā suǒyǒu de kǎoshì dōu déle A+, **yě jiù shì shuō**, tā shì wǒmen bān zuì cōngmíng de xuéshēng. * English: He got an A+ on all his exams. **In other words**, he's the smartest student in our class. * Analysis: Here, 也就是说 is used to rephrase the evidence ("all A+ grades") into a clear summary statement ("he's the smartest student"). * **Example 3:** * 公司决定取消今年的年会，**也就是说**，我们没有年终奖了。 * Pinyin: Gōngsī juédìng qǔxiāo jīnnián de niánhuì, **yě jiù shì shuō**, wǒmen méiyǒu niánzhōngjiǎng le. * English: The company decided to cancel this year's annual party, **which is to say**, we won't be getting a year-end bonus. * Analysis: This example shows how the phrase can be used to state an unspoken, often negative, implication. Canceling the party implies no bonus. * **Example 4:** * 天气预报说明天有暴雨，**也就是说**，我们明天的野餐得取消了。 * Pinyin: Tiānqì yùbào shuō míngtiān yǒu bàoyǔ, **yě jiù shì shuō**, wǒmen míngtiān de yěcān děi qǔxiāo le. * English: The weather forecast says there's a rainstorm tomorrow. **That is to say**, our picnic for tomorrow has to be canceled. * Analysis: A clear cause-and-effect conclusion. The forecast (cause) leads to the direct implication (cancellation). * **Example 5:** * 医生说我需要多休息，少看手机。**也就是说**，我得改变我的生活习惯。 * Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō wǒ xūyào duō xiūxi, shǎo kàn shǒujī. **Yě jiù shì shuō**, wǒ děi gǎibiàn wǒ de shēnghuó xíguàn. * English: The doctor said I need to rest more and look at my phone less. **In other words**, I have to change my lifestyle habits. * Analysis: This is used to summarize a set of specific instructions (rest more, use phone less) into one general concept (change lifestyle habits). * **Example 6:** * 这台电脑的价格是8000块，我每个月工资4000块，**也就是说**，我需要不吃不喝两个月才能买得起。 * Pinyin: Zhè tái diànnǎo de jiàgé shì bāqiān kuài, wǒ měi gè yuè gōngzī sìqiān kuài, **yě jiù shì shuō**, wǒ xūyào bù chī bù hē liǎng gè yuè cái néng mǎi de qǐ. * English: This computer costs 8000 yuan, and my monthly salary is 4000 yuan. **Which means**, I'd need to not eat or drink for two months to be able to afford it. * Analysis: Here, the phrase introduces a dramatic or illustrative conclusion based on the numbers provided, highlighting the computer's expense relative to the speaker's income. * **Example 7:** * 他没回你的信息，也没接你的电话，**也就是说**，他现在可能很忙，或者不想被打扰。 * Pinyin: Tā méi huí nǐ de xìnxī, yě méi jiē nǐ de diànhuà, **yě jiù shì shuō**, tā xiànzài kěnéng hěn máng, huòzhě bùxiǎng bèi dǎrǎo. * English: He didn't reply to your message, nor did he answer your call. **That is to say**, he's probably very busy right now, or he doesn't want to be disturbed. * Analysis: This shows how 也就是说 can be used to propose a logical inference or interpretation based on observed actions. * **Example 8:** * 根据合同，项目必须在周五前完成。今天是周四，**也就是说**，我们只剩一天时间了。 * Pinyin: Gēnjù hétóng, xiàngmù bìxū zài zhōuwǔ qián wánchéng. Jīntiān shì zhōusì, **yě jiù shì shuō**, wǒmen zhǐ shèng yī tiān shíjiān le. * English: According to the contract, the project must be finished before Friday. Today is Thursday, **which means** we only have one day left. * Analysis: A perfect example for professional or academic contexts, stating a clear conclusion based on established rules and facts. * **Example 9:** * 你做的这个菜味道很好，就是稍微有点咸...**也就是说**，下次盐可以少放一点点。 * Pinyin: Nǐ zuò de zhège cài wèidào hěn hǎo, jiùshì shāowéi yǒudiǎn xián... **yě jiù shì shuō**, xiàcì yán kěyǐ shǎo fàng yīdiǎndiǎn. * English: This dish you made tastes great, it's just a little bit salty... **I mean**, next time you could maybe add a tiny bit less salt. * Analysis: This demonstrates a very common conversational use: softening criticism. The speaker gives a compliment, states a small issue, and then uses 也就是说 to offer a gentle, constructive suggestion. * **Example 10:** * 他买了一张去北京的单程票，**也就是说**，他短期内不打算回来了。 * Pinyin: Tā mǎile yī zhāng qù Běijīng de dānchéng piào, **yě jiù shì shuō**, tā duǎnqī nèi bù dǎsuàn huílái le. * English: He bought a one-way ticket to Beijing, **which implies** he doesn't plan on coming back anytime soon. * Analysis: The phrase is used to interpret the meaning behind an action. A one-way ticket isn't just a ticket; it's a signal of intent, which 也就是说 helps to articulate. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **也就是说 vs. 所以 (suǒyǐ):** This is a critical distinction. * **所以 (suǒyǐ)** means "so" and indicates a direct result. (A causes B). * **也就是说 (yě jiù shì shuō)** means "which means" and indicates a clarification or restatement of meaning. (A means B). * **Correct:** 天下雨了，**所以**我带了伞。(It's raining, **so** I brought an umbrella.) - A direct result. * **Incorrect:** 天下雨了，**也就是说**我带了伞。(It's raining, **in other words** I brought an umbrella.) - This is illogical. The rain doesn't "mean" you brought an umbrella. * **Correct:** 天气预报说今天会下雨，**也就是说**，我出门需要带伞。(The forecast says it will rain, **which means** I need to bring an umbrella.) - This is correct because you are clarifying the *implication* of the forecast. * **也就是说 vs. 换句话说 (huàn jù huà shuō):** * These two are very close and often interchangeable. * **换句话说 (huàn jù huà shuō)** literally means "to change the sentence and say," emphasizing the act of rephrasing, often for a different audience or from a different angle. * **也就是说** can be used for both rephrasing and for drawing a direct, logical conclusion. In general, when you are stating a logical consequence, 也就是说 is slightly more common. * **Don't Overuse It:** Using 也就是说 when no clarification or conclusion is needed can make your speech sound redundant. Only use it when you are genuinely bridging a statement to its deeper meaning or implication. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[换句话说]] (huàn jù huà shuō) - The closest synonym, meaning "to put it another way" or "in other words." * [[就是说]] (jiù shì shuō) - A common, slightly more informal, shortened version where the **也 (yě)** is dropped. * [[总而言之]] (zǒng ér yán zhī) - "In summary," "in conclusion." Used to summarize a whole series of points, not just a single preceding sentence. More formal. * [[所以]] (suǒyǐ) - "So," "therefore." Indicates a direct result or consequence, not a clarification of meaning. * [[因此]] (yīncǐ) - A more formal version of **所以**, meaning "thus," "therefore," "consequently." * [[这意味着]] (zhè yìwèizhe) - A more direct and slightly formal phrase meaning "this means..." or "this implies..." * [[换言之]] (huàn yán zhī) - A very formal, literary equivalent of **换句话说**, often seen in written texts.