つまり
In short, To sum up, In other words
Structure
Explanation
The word つまり (or its kanji form, 詰まり) functions as an adverb in Japanese. Its purpose is to rephrase or summarize a preceding idea, whether it was your own or someone else's. It can be translated into English as 'in other words,' 'to put it simply,' or 'that is to say.'
- ケンジ君はテストで100点を取ったそうですよ。つまり、全部の問題が正解だったという事ですね。I heard Kenji got a perfect score of 100 on the exam. In other words, he answered every single question correctly, right?
- あの店、電気がついていないね。つまり、今日はもう閉店しているということ？The lights are off in that shop. So does that mean it's already closed for the day?
- 台風で飛行機が欠航になったそうです。つまり、明日は旅行に行けなくなったという事ですね。I heard the flight was canceled due to the typhoon. Basically, that means we can't go on our trip tomorrow, doesn't it?
Fun Fact
つまり originates from the verb 詰まる, which means 'to be packed' or 'to be condensed.' Because of this origin, the literal sense of つまり is very close to how it is used to 'condense' an idea into a simpler form.
- 8時に起きて、ごはんを食べて、学校に行って、友達と遊んで、家に帰った。つまり、いつもと同じ一日でした。I woke up at 8, ate, went to school, hung out with friends, and came home. Condensing all that, it was just a normal day. (In short)
Examples
彼は私の父の兄です。詰まり、私の伯父です。
He is my father's older brother. In other words, he's my uncle.
彼女は顔色が悪くて汗をかいている。詰まり、気分が良くないのだろう。
She looks pale and is sweating. In other words, she probably doesn't feel well.
この商品は半額です。詰まり、５０パーセントオフということです。
This product is half price. That is to say, it's 50 percent off.
詰まり、彼の提案に賛成できないということですね？
So, in short, you're saying you can't agree with his proposal, right?
終電はもう出てしまった。詰まり、タクシーで帰るしかない。
The last train has already left. In other words, we have no choice but to go home by taxi.
Ａ：「ちょっと今日は忙しくて、やることがたくさんあって…。」
Ｂ：「詰まり、手伝えないってこと？」
A: 'Well, I'm a little busy today, and I have a lot of things to do...'
B: 'In short, you're saying you can't help?'
家の電気が全部消えている。詰まり、誰もいないということだ。
All the lights in the house are off. In short, it means nobody is home.
Ａ：「レストランの予約は７時だけど、田中さんは仕事で遅れるそうだよ。」
Ｂ：「詰まり、彼は来ないかもしれないってこと？」
A: 'The reservation at the restaurant is for 7, but Tanaka-san said he'll be late because of work.'
B: 'So, you're saying he might not come at all?'
天気予報では降水確率は１００％です。詰まり、絶対に雨が降るということです。
The weather forecast says there's a 100% chance of precipitation. Basically, it's definitely going to rain.
Ａ：「冷蔵庫に入れておいたケーキが無い。」
Ｂ：「詰まり、私が食べたと疑っているの？」
A: 'The cake I put in the fridge is gone.'
B: 'So, are you implying that I ate it?'
彼は私の親友の弟だ。詰まり、私たちも昔から知り合いなんだ。
He's my best friend's younger brother. In short, we've also known each other for a long time.
この会議は中止になりました。詰まり、今日はもう帰っていいということです。
This meeting has been canceled. In other words, we can go home for the day.