つまり

つまり
adverb, conjunction
in other words, that is to say
communication
1. in other words, that is to say, namely
Used to rephrase or clarify what was just said.
つまり、無理(むり)ということだ。
In other words, it's impossible.
つまり、賛成(さんせい)ということですね。
So in other words, you agree?
彼女(かのじょ)は私(わたし)の父(ちち)の姉(あね)、つまり伯母(おば)です。
She is my father's older sister, in other words, my aunt.
1キロは1000メートル、つまり100センチの1000倍(ばい)だ。
One kilometer is 1000 meters, that is, 1000 times 100 centimeters.
彼(かれ)は毎日(まいにち)遅刻(ちこく)する。つまり、時間(じかん)を守(まも)る気(き)がないのだ。
He's late every day. In other words, he has no intention of being on time.
2. in short, in the end, after all
Used to summarize or state the conclusion.
つまり、何(なに)が言(い)いたいの?
So what are you trying to say?
つまりは金(かね)の問題(もんだい)だ。
In the end, it's a matter of money.
つまりは = after all, in the end
つまり、誰(だれ)も来(こ)なかったということだね。
So in short, nobody came, right?
いろいろ考(かんが)えたが、つまり自分(じぶん)でやるしかない。
I thought about it a lot, but in the end, I have no choice but to do it myself.
長(なが)い説明(せつめい)を聞(き)いたが、つまり予算(よさん)が足(た)りないということだった。
I listened to a long explanation, but in short, the budget was insufficient.

Usage

つまり is used to:
1. Clarify or rephrase something in simpler terms
2. Summarize a longer explanation
3. Draw a conclusion from what was said

Similar words

Position in sentence

Usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause.

Related Words

Synonym: すなわち (namely (formal))
Synonym: 言(い)い換(か)えれば (in other words)
Compare: 要(よう)するに (In short, to sum up)
Compare: 結局(けっきょく) (After all, in the end)
Related: 詰(つ)まる (to be packed, to be blocked)
Compare: てことは (so that means, in other words)
Compare: 結局(けっきょく)のところ (in the end)
Compare: 何(なん)と言(い)うか (how should I say)
Compare: 言(い)い換(か)えると (in other words)
Compare: ということは (that means)
core
Added 2026.1.12 18:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
03500/03530_tsumari