jiǎndān láishuō: 简单来说 - Simply Put, To Put it Simply

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• Summary: Learn how to use “简单来说” (jiǎndān láishuō), an essential Chinese phrase that means “to put it simply” or “in a nutshell.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with over ten example sentences. Mastering “简单来说” will help you clarify complex ideas and sound more natural when explaining things in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiǎndān láishuō
• Part of Speech: Adverbial Phrase / Introductory Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (but composed of HSK 3-4 level characters)
• Concise Definition: To put it simply; in other words; in short.
• In a Nutshell: “简单来说” is a discourse marker used to signal that the speaker is about to simplify or summarize a more complex idea. It's the direct equivalent of the English phrases “simply put,” “to put it simply,” or “in a nutshell.” It acts as a bridge, taking a complicated topic and presenting its core message in an easy-to-understand way. It's a key tool for effective communication and explanation.

• 简 (jiǎn): Originally referring to bamboo slips used for writing, it has come to mean “simple,” “brief,” or “simplified.”
• 单 (dān): This character means “single,” “sole,” or “odd (number).”
• 来 (lái): Means “to come.” In this structure (`…来说`), it functions grammatically to mean “from the perspective of…” or “as for…”
• 说 (shuō): This simply means “to speak” or “to say.”

When combined, `简单 (jiǎndān)` means “simple.” The phrase `来说 (láishuō)` means “to speak of it” or “speaking from a certain standpoint.” Together, `简单来说 (jiǎndān láishuō)` literally translates to “to speak of it simply,” which perfectly captures its modern usage.

While Chinese culture can often favor indirectness in social situations to preserve harmony and face, this doesn't apply to all forms of communication. In contexts of teaching, explaining, or summarizing, clarity and efficiency are highly valued. “简单来说” embodies this value. Using this phrase is a sign of consideration for the listener. It shows that the speaker is aware that a topic might be complex and is making a conscious effort to make it more accessible. It's a tool for building shared understanding. In Western culture, we use phrases like “long story short,” “basically,” or “in a nutshell” for the exact same purpose. The function of “简单来说” is almost a one-to-one match. This makes it a very easy and useful phrase for learners to adopt, as the underlying communicative strategy is universal: breaking down complexity for the sake of clarity.

“简单来说” is an extremely common and versatile phrase used across all levels of formality.

• In Education: A professor might explain a complex scientific theory and then say, “简单来说，这个过程就像……” (“Simply put, this process is just like…”) to give students a helpful analogy.
• In Business: During a meeting, an employee might present a lot of data and then summarize the key takeaway: “简单来说，我们的销售额增长了百分之二十。” (“To put it simply, our sales grew by 20%.”)
• In Everyday Conversation: When explaining the plot of a long movie to a friend, you might use it: “简单来说，就是一个机器人爱上了一个人类。” (“In a nutshell, it's about a robot who falls in love with a human.”)
• On Social Media: It's frequently used online to give a “TL;DR” (Too Long; Didn't Read) version of a long post or article.

The phrase is neutral in connotation and its formality depends entirely on the context it's used in.

• Example 1:
  • 这个项目的目标很复杂，简单来说，我们就是想提高用户满意度。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù de mùbiāo hěn fùzá, jiǎndān láishuō, wǒmen jiùshì xiǎng tígāo yònghù mǎnyìdù.
  • English: The goal of this project is very complex. Simply put, we just want to increase user satisfaction.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used in a business context to boil down a complex project goal into a single, understandable objective.
• Example 2:
  • 什么是区块链？简单来说，它就是一个不可篡改的分布式数字账本。
  • Pinyin: Shénme shì qūkuàiliàn? Jiǎndān láishuō, tā jiùshì yī gè bùkě cuàngǎi de fēnbùshì shùzì zhàngběn.
  • English: What is blockchain? To put it simply, it's an unchangeable, distributed digital ledger.
  • Analysis: This is a classic use case: explaining a technical or difficult concept to a layperson.
• Example 3:
  • 我今天过得很糟糕。简单来说，什么事都不顺利。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān guò de hěn zāogāo. Jiǎndān láishuō, shénme shì dōu bù shùnlì.
  • English: I had a terrible day today. In short, nothing went right.
  • Analysis: Used here to summarize a general feeling or a series of unfortunate events without going into detail.
• Example 4:
  • 他的理论写了三百多页，但简单来说，核心思想只有一个。
  • Pinyin: Tā de lǐlùn xiěle sānbǎi duō yè, dàn jiǎndān láishuō, héxīn sīxiǎng zhǐyǒu yī gè.
  • English: His theory is over 300 pages long, but simply put, there is only one core idea.
  • Analysis: Shows how the phrase is used to distill the essence from a large amount of information.
• Example 5:
  • 经济学的供求关系听起来很难，简单来说，东西越少，想买的人越多，它就越贵。
  • Pinyin: Jīngjìxué de gōngqiú guānxì tīngqǐlái hěn nán, jiǎndān láishuō, dōngxi yuè shǎo, xiǎng mǎi de rén yuè duō, tā jiù yuè guì.
  • English: The economic relationship of supply and demand sounds difficult. Simply put, the less there is of something and the more people want to buy it, the more expensive it becomes.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of its use in a pedagogical context, making an academic concept accessible.
• Example 6:
  • 我们为什么分手？唉，简单来说，就是性格不合。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen wèishéme fēnshǒu? Āi, jiǎndān láishuō, jiùshì xìnggé bùhé.
  • English: Why did we break up? Sigh, to put it simply, our personalities just weren't compatible.
  • Analysis: Used to give a concise reason for a complex and emotionally charged situation, avoiding a long, drawn-out explanation.
• Example 7:
  • 这个新手机有很多功能，但简单来说，它更快、更薄。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xīn shǒujī yǒu hěnduō gōngnéng, dàn jiǎndān láishuō, tā gèng kuài, gèng báo.
  • English: This new phone has a lot of features, but in a nutshell, it's faster and thinner.
  • Analysis: Ideal for marketing or product reviews, highlighting the main selling points.
• Example 8:
  • 这部电影的剧情很曲折。简单来说，讲的是一个时间旅行者的故事。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng de jùqíng hěn qūzhé. Jiǎndān láishuō, jiǎng de shì yī gè shíjiān lǚxíngzhě de gùshi.
  • English: The plot of this movie is very twisty. Simply put, it's about a time traveler.
  • Analysis: A common way to describe the premise of a book or movie to a friend.
• Example 9:
  • 中医的哲学很深奥，简单来说，它强调身体的平衡。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngyī de zhéxué hěn shēn'ào, jiǎndān láishuō, tā qiángdiào shēntǐ de pínghéng.
  • English: The philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine is very profound. To put it simply, it emphasizes the body's balance.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates its use for simplifying deep cultural or philosophical concepts.
• Example 10:
  • 你为什么迟到了？简单来说，我把闹钟设错了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme chídào le? Jiǎndān láishuō, wǒ bǎ nàozhōng shè cuò le.
  • English: Why were you late? Long story short, I set my alarm clock wrong.
  • Analysis: Used to give a direct, simple answer without providing unnecessary details about the morning's events.

• Confusing with 总之 (zǒngzhī): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • 简单来说 (jiǎndān láishuō): Used to simplify or rephrase an idea. It clarifies a point. “Here is a complex idea, now here it is in simple terms.”
  • 总之 (zǒngzhī): Used to conclude a series of points. It summarizes the final result or decision. “We've discussed point A, B, and C. In conclusion, we should do D.”
  • Incorrect Usage Example: After giving three separate reasons for a decision (cost, time, and resources), it would be incorrect to say: `*简单来说，我们明天开始这个项目。` The correct phrase would be: `总之，我们明天开始这个项目。` (In conclusion, we will start this project tomorrow.)
• Using it without a complex antecedent: The phrase implies that what came before (or what is about to be discussed) is complicated. It sounds strange to say it before a very simple statement. For example: `我想喝水。简单来说，我渴了。` (I want to drink water. Simply put, I'm thirsty.) This is redundant and unnatural because the first sentence is already simple.

• 总之 (zǒngzhī) - “In conclusion,” “in short.” Used to summarize a series of arguments and state a final conclusion.
• 换句话说 (huàn jù huà shuō) - “In other words.” Focuses on rephrasing for clarity, not necessarily simplification. It can be used to rephrase something with words of a similar complexity.
• 也就是说 (yě jiù shì shuō) - “That is to say,” “which means.” Used to draw a logical inference or clarify the implication of a statement.
• 总而言之 (zǒng ér yán zhī) - A more formal, four-character idiom (chengyu) version of `总之`, meaning “to sum it all up.”
• 基本上 (jīběnshang) - “Basically,” “fundamentally.” Often used interchangeably with `简单来说` at the beginning of a sentence to give a simplified overview.
• 简单 (jiǎndān) - The core adjective meaning “simple” or “easy.”
• 一言以蔽之 (yī yán yǐ bì zhī) - A very formal, literary idiom meaning “to sum it up in one sentence.” You will encounter this in writing but rarely in spoken conversation.