总而言之

zǒng ér yán zhī

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Phrase Uncommon

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Definitions

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

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Word relationships

Synonyms

3 items

• 总之 zǒng zhī 总之 zǒng zhī in a word used to sum up or conclude: in a word
• 简而言之 jiǎn ér yán zhī 简而言之 jiǎn ér yán zhī in a nutshell more formal; in brief: in a nutshell
• 一句话 yī jù huà 一句话 yī jù huà in a word in one sentence; casual: in a word

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used at the beginning of a concluding sentence, followed by a comma.

Formality

Used in both formal and informal contexts, but 简而言之 is more formal.

Grammar

Guides that feature 总而言之

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 8 min

Summing Up with 总而言之

Use 总而言之 for formal summaries and essay conclusions.

Reading: zǒng ér yán zhī Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

总而言之 ，我们需要更多时间。

In short, we need more time.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 总而言之

• 之 之 zhī: (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de])
• 总 总 zǒng: general; overall
• 而 而 ér: and
• 而言 而言 ér yán: (typically preceded by 就…[jiù xx5] or 對…|对…[duì xx5] etc) as far as ... is concerned; speaking in terms of ...
• 言 言 yán: words