Structure
すなわち + Phrase
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乃ち
About 即ち
In a similar way to つまり, 即ち is another grammar pattern in Japanese that is often translated as 'in other words'. It may also be translated as 'namely', or 'that is to say'. While 即ち is an adverb, it is often used as a conjunction, linking two sentences via some sort of reasoning.
Caution
The kanji used in 即ち simply means 'in concordance'. This shows that the nuance associated with 即ち is that of 'agreeance' or 'correspondence' to something else, while つまり is purely that of 'summarisation'.
Related
Examples
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僕は肉を食べない。即ち菜食主義者だ。
I don't eat meat. In other words, I am a vegetarian.
和食、即ち焼き魚やお味噌汁のようなものが食べられるお店に行きたいんです。
I want to go to a restaurant where I can eat Japanese food, namely grilled fish, miso soup and the like.
彼は学校の先生、即ち教育者だ。
He is a school teacher, that is, an educator.
彼は私の母の弟の息子、即ち従兄弟です。
He is my mother's brother's son. In other words, he is my cousin.
5割引きの商品とは、即ち元の値段の半額ということだ。
A product that is 50% off is, in other words, half off.
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つまり vs. すなわち
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Tobira
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