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总之

zǒng zhī
HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Conjunction Common

Definitions

  1. 1. in a word
  2. 2. in short
  3. 3. in brief

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Word relationships

Synonyms

2 items
总而言之
zǒng ér yán zhī

in short

Both mean 'in short' or 'in summary', but 总而言之 is more formal and emphatic.
简言之
jiǎn yán zhī

in simple terms

简言之 is more literary and often used to rephrase in simpler terms.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not place 总之 at the beginning of a sentence as the only summary word without context; it usually follows a reason or list.

Formality

总之 is neutral and common in both speech and writing, but may sound too casual in very formal reports; consider 总而言之 or 综上所述 in such cases.

Grammar

Guides that feature 总之

Jump into a full guide with fill-in-the-blank drills. Clicking will load the page and move you to the top.

2 guides
HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 7 min
Connectors 可见, 总之, 假如 and 从而

Link ideas like a fluent writer: draw a conclusion with 可见, sum up with 总之, imagine with 假如, and state a result with 从而.

Reading: zǒng zhī Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min
Written-Style Connectors

Make essays, summaries, and formal notes flow more clearly.

Reading: zǒng zhī Open guide

Child Words of 总之

之
zhī

(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de])

总
zǒng

general; overall