てことは
てことは
expression
so that means, in other words
1.
so that means, in other words, then
A casual expression used to draw a logical conclusion from what was just said. Contracted from ということは.
てことは、来ないってこと？
So that means you're not coming?
てことは、もう終わったんだね。
So that means it's already over, huh.
彼が辞めたってことは、新しい人を探さないといけないってことだ。
The fact that he quit means we need to find someone new.
Full form ってことは also shown here
てことは is a very casual contraction used to draw a logical conclusion from what was just said. It means "so that means..." or "in other words..."
CONTRACTION CHAIN:
- ということは (formal/written)
- ってことは (casual spoken)
- てことは (very casual spoken)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- てことは、〜ってこと？ (so that means ~, right?)
- てことは、〜だね (so that means ~, huh)
- てことは、〜わけだ (so in other words, ~)
USAGE:
Always sentence-initial or clause-initial. The speaker takes information just heard and draws a conclusion or asks for confirmation. Very common in everyday conversation.
REGISTER:
Informal/casual speech only. In formal situations, use the full form ということは. In writing, ということは or ってことは is preferred.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- つまり: in other words, that is to say (neutral register)
- ということは: so that means (formal equivalent)
- じゃあ: then, in that case (more casual, less logical inference)