换言之 (huàn yán zhī) — in other words; that is to say
HSK 5 | discourse marker | in other words; to put it another way
换言之 (huàn yán zhī)
换言之 is a formal discourse marker used to introduce a restatement or clarification of something just said, equivalent to "in other words" or "that is to say" in English.
Meanings
- [discourse marker] in other words; that is to say; to put it another way
Example Sentences
这项政策对所有纳税人都适用，换言之，任何有收入的公民都必须遵守这一规定。 Zhè xiàng zhèngcè duì suǒyǒu nàshuì rén dōu shìyòng, huàn yán zhī, rènhé yǒu shōurù de gōngmín dōu bìxū zūnshǒu zhè yī guīdìng. This policy applies to all taxpayers; in other words, any citizen with income must comply with this regulation.
这个项目的预算已经严重超支，换言之，如果没有额外资金，项目将无法按时完成。 Zhège xiàngmù de yùsuàn yǐjīng yánzhòng chāozhī, huàn yán zhī, rúguǒ méiyǒu éwài zījīn, xiàngmù jiāng wúfǎ ànshí wánchéng. The project budget has seriously overspent; in other words, without additional funds, the project cannot be completed on time.
幸福并不等于拥有更多的财富，换言之，金钱并不能买到真正的快乐。 Xìngfú bìng bù děngyú yōngyǒu gèng duō de cáifù, huàn yán zhī, jīnqián bìng bù néng mǎi dào zhēnzhèng de kuàilè. Happiness is not equal to having more wealth; in other words, money cannot buy true happiness.
该实验的结果未能达到预期标准，换言之，假设已经被实验数据所否定。 Gāi shíyàn de jiéguǒ wèi néng dádào yùqī biāozhǔn, huàn yán zhī, jiǎshè yǐjīng bèi shíyàn shùjù suǒ fǒudìng. The results of the experiment failed to meet the expected standard; in other words, the hypothesis has been refuted by the experimental data.
这份合同从明天开始生效，换言之，双方从明天起就必须履行各自的义务。 Zhè fèn hétong cóng míngtiān kāishǐ shēngxiào, huàn yán zhī, shuāngfāng cóng míngtiān qǐ jiù bìxū lǚxíng gèzì de yìwù. This contract takes effect from tomorrow; in other words, both parties must fulfill their respective obligations starting tomorrow.
他的研究表明，语言影响思维方式，换言之，说不同语言的人对世界的认知也会有所不同。 Tā de yánjiū biǎomíng, yǔyán yǐngxiǎng sīwéi fāngshì, huàn yán zhī, shuō bùtóng yǔyán de rén duì shìjiè de rènzhī yě huì yǒu suǒ bùtóng. His research shows that language influences the way of thinking; in other words, people who speak different languages may also perceive the world differently.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 换言之，... | in other words, ...; to put it another way, ... |
| 也就是说 | that is to say (more colloquial equivalent) |
| 即 | i.e.; that is (formal abbreviation) |
| 总而言之 | in summary; in short |
| 简而言之 | in brief; briefly speaking |
| 换句话说 | in other words (colloquial equivalent) |
Usage Notes
换言之 is a formal written Chinese expression equivalent to 换句话说 (in other words), which is its more colloquial spoken counterpart. 换言之 is used predominantly in academic writing, formal speeches, legal documents, and journalism to rephrase or clarify a preceding statement.
At B2 level, learners should know both 换言之 (formal/written) and 换句话说 (spoken/informal) as functional equivalents, and distinguish them from 总而言之 (in summary), which concludes rather than rephrases.
Memory Hook
换 (to exchange/change) + 言 (words) + 之 (it) — 换言之 is to change the words of what was just said, expressing the same meaning differently.