1.
to rephrase, to say in other words
To express the same meaning using different words, often to make something clearer.
もっと簡単に言い換えてください。
Please rephrase that more simply.
専門用語を日常的な言葉に言い換えた。
I rephrased the technical terms into everyday language.
子供にもわかるように言い換えてあげた。
I rephrased it so that even a child could understand.
「困難」を「難しい」に言い換えると、わかりやすい。
If you rephrase 'konnan' as 'muzukashii,' it becomes easier to understand.
外国人に説明するとき、漢語をやさしい和語に言い換えることが多い。
When explaining to foreigners, I often rephrase Sino-Japanese words into simpler native Japanese words.
2.
in other words (when used as an expression)
Used as a transitional phrase to introduce a rephrased or clarified statement.
言い換えれば、彼は断ったということだ。
In other words, he refused.
[Note: 言い換えれば is commonly used to mean 'in other words']
言い換えると、時間が足りないということだ。
In other words, there isn't enough time.
彼は慎重だ。言い換えれば、決断が遅いのだ。
He's cautious. In other words, he's slow to make decisions.
この制度は不公平だ。言い換えれば、一部の人だけが得をする仕組みだ。
This system is unfair. In other words, it's a structure where only some people benefit.
成功とは、言い換えれば、努力の結果にほかならない。
Success, in other words, is nothing other than the result of effort.
言い換える is a transitive verb (他動詞) meaning to rephrase or express differently.
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
- 言う (to say) + 換える (to exchange, to replace) → to replace one's words with different ones
ASPECT (ている):
言い換えている is rarely used; the verb is typically used in non-progressive forms.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 言い換えれば (in other words)
- 言い換えると (to put it another way)
- ～に言い換える (rephrase as~)
- 別の言葉で言い換える (rephrase in different words)
SET EXPRESSIONS:
- 言い換えれば / 言い換えると: "in other words" - very common transitional phrase
[Register: Neutral]