总而言之

zǒng ér yán zhī

in short

HSK 6

漢字分解

Usage of 总而言之

总而言之 is a formal phrase used to summarize or conclude what has been said before. It is often used in speeches, essays, or discussions to signal a summary or final point.

Common contexts

It typically appears at the beginning of a concluding sentence or paragraph, helping the speaker or writer to wrap up their ideas clearly and concisely.

Collocations and patterns

  • 总而言之 + sentence: introduces a summary or conclusion.
  • Often used in formal or semi-formal contexts such as reports, presentations, or academic writing.

Nuance and register

This phrase carries a neutral to formal tone and is less casual than simpler alternatives like 总之. It emphasizes the speaker’s intention to provide a clear and comprehensive summary.

Avoiding confusion

Don’t confuse 总而言之 with 总之. 总之 is more casual and versatile, while 总而言之 is more formal and explicit in signaling a summary.

例文

总而言之,我们需要更多的时间来完成这个项目。

Zǒng ér yán zhī, wǒmen xūyào gèng duō de shíjiān lái wánchéng zhège

In short, we need more time to finish this project.

总而言之,他的表现非常出色,值得表扬。

Zǒng ér yán zhī, tā de biǎoxiàn fēicháng chūsè, zhídé biǎoyáng.

In short, his performance was excellent and deserves praise.

总而言之,这次会议达成了许多重要的共识。

Zǒng ér yán zhī, zhè cì huìyì dáchéngle xǔduō zhòngyào de gòngshí.

In short, this meeting reached many important agreements.