即ち
In other words, That is, Namely
Structure
Explanation
Much like つまり, 即ち is another way to say 'in other words' in Japanese. It can also be understood as 'namely' or 'that is'. Although technically an adverb, 即ち frequently functions as a conjunction to connect two related statements.
- あの人は私の姉の夫です。すなわち、義理の兄です。That person is my older sister's husband. In other words, he's my brother-in-law.
- 私の仕事は日本語を教えることです。すなわち、日本語の先生です。My job is to teach Japanese. In other words, I'm a Japanese teacher.
Caution
The character in 即ち carries the meaning of 'to conform' or 'to match'. This highlights the nuance of 即ち, which emphasizes that two statements are equivalent or correspond to each other. In contrast, つまり is used more broadly for summarization.
- 彼は試験に合格しました。すなわち、大学に入れます。He passed the exam. In other words, he can enter university.
- 雨が降っていて、風も強いです。つまり、天気が悪いです。It's raining, and the wind is strong. In other words, the weather is bad.
Examples
日本の首都、即ち東京には多くの人が住んでいます。
Many people live in Japan's capital, namely Tokyo.
このサービスは料金がかからない。即ち無料で利用できるということだ。
This service has no fee. In other words, it means you can use it for free.
彼女は私の夫の姉、即ち義理の姉にあたる。
She is my husband's older sister, that is to say, my sister-in-law.
レポートは四半期ごと、即ち三か月に一度提出する必要があります。
The report must be submitted quarterly, that is, once every three months.
地球の温暖化、即ち地球の平均気温が上昇する問題は深刻だ。
Global warming, in other words, the problem of the Earth's average temperature rising, is a serious issue.
私は田中家の長男、即ち一番目に生まれた息子です。
I am the eldest son of the Tanaka family; in other words, the first-born son.
あの店では税金が価格に含まれている。即ち税込価格だ。
At that store, tax is included in the price. In other words, it's the tax-included price.
彼は全ての試験に落ちた。即ち、留年が確定した。
He failed all of his exams. That is to say, he will definitely have to repeat the school year.
日本では十八歳で成人になる。即ち、法律的に大人として扱われる。
In Japan, you become a legal adult at eighteen. In other words, you are treated as an adult by law.
チームスポーツ、即ちサッカーやバスケットボールのようなものが得意だ。
I'm good at team sports, namely things like soccer and basketball.
納税は国民の義務、即ち果たさなければならないことである。
Paying taxes is a citizen's duty, in other words, an obligation that must be fulfilled.
父の夢は自分の店を持つこと、即ち独立することだった。
My father's dream was to have his own shop; that is, to be independent.