Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 6: 3/24

つまり

In short, To sum up, In other words

Structure Legend

Structure

Phrase (A)。つまり + (Summary) Phrase (B)

Details

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詰まり

About つまり

つまり (or ()まり) is a word in Japanese that is often used as an adverb. It takes a previous statement (said either by the speaker or by someone else) and summarizes it. This translates as 'in short', 'in other words', and similar expressions in English.
  • ハマサキさんまた(なに)()わず(やす)んだのですか?つまりまた無断(むだん)欠勤(けっきん)という(こと)ですね。
    Hamasaki-san didn't come to work without saying anything again? In other words, he ditched work again, didn't he?
  • 彼氏(かれし)本当(ほんとう)(わか)れたの?つまり、もうあんな(やつ)(かか)わらなくていいということ
    Did you really break up with your boyfriend? In other words, that means we don't have to deal with him anymore?
  • また(だれ)(やめ)めたんですか?つまり(いま)すぐ(あたら)しい(ひと)()()ないといけないという(こと)ですね。
    Someone quit again ? In other words, we need to find a new person as soon as possible, right?
Fun Fact
つまり comes from verb ()まる meaning to become 'packed', or 'condensed'. This means that the literal translation is of つまり is quite similar to its English interpretation.
  • あなたは昨日(きのう)一日(いちにち)(じゅう)(いえ)ゲームして、(いえ)(こと)(なに)もしなかったってことですね。つまり一日(いちにち)(じゅう)ダラダラしていたという(こと)ですね。
    You are saying that you were at home playing video games without doing any chores yesterday. Condensed, you were being lazy. (In short)

Examples

  • 明日(あした)何時(なんじ)でも()いんだって。つまり夜遅(よるおそ)くなっても()いらしい。

    They said anytime tomorrow is good. To sum up, it seems that even late at night is ok.

  • (かれ)いつも約束(やくそく)(やぶ)る。つまり(わたし)のこと()じゃないよね。

    He's always breaking his promises to me. In other words it seems that he isn't fond of me, right?

  • この(くるま)電気(でんき)自動車(じどうしゃ)です。つまり、ガソリンがいらない。

    This is an electric car. In other words it doesn't need gasoline.

  • A: 「問題(もんだい)()きました。」
    B: 「つまり(なに)()いたいんですか?」

    A: 'We have a problem.'
    B: 'In short, what are you trying to say?'

  • 長々(ながなが)説明(せつめい)したけど、結論(けつろん)()と、つまりそれ失敗(しっぱい)だったということだ。

    I gave a very long explanation but, in short, we concluded that it was a failure.

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つまり – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

  • Ambo100

    Ambo100

    About 3 years ago

    Perhaps an easy way to remember this, would be to use this phonetic mnemonic:

    ツマリ - つまり
    サマリ - summary

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