Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 6: 3/24

つまりIn short, To sum up, In other words

Structure

Phrase (A)。つまり + (Summary) Phrase (B)

Details

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    Standard

  • Rare Kanji

    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.

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

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    明日(あした)何時(なんじ)でも()いんだって。()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)はいつも約束(やくそく)(やぶ)る。()まり(わたし)のこと()きじゃないよね。

    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。()まり、ガソリンが()らないです。

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

    ()まりそれはどういうことですか?もっと簡単(かんたん)説明(せつめい)してください。

    To sum up, what do you mean? Please explain it in a more simple manner.

    (いま)失業(しつぎょう)しています。()まり、あまりお(かね)がないということです。

    He is unemployed now. In other words he doesn't have very much money.

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つまり – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

  • Ambo100

    Ambo100

    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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