换句话说
HSK 6- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
In other words — used to restate a previously expressed idea in a different way to make it easier to understand.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The phrase 换句话说 means "in other words" or "to put it another way." It is used to introduce a new way of expressing an idea that has already been stated, typically to make it clearer, simpler, or to emphasize a specific aspect.
This is a very common connective phrase that helps the listener or reader gain a deeper understanding of your point. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence or a clause.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他工作很忙，换句话说，他没时间帮你。繁: 他工作很忙，換句話說，他沒時間幫你。Tā gōngzuò hěn máng, huànjùhuàshuō, tā méi shíjiān bāng nǐ.
He is very busy with work; in other words, he has no time to help you.
- 这个太贵了，换句话说，我买不起。繁: 這個太貴了，換句話說，我買不起。Zhège tài guì le, huànjùhuàshuō, wǒ mǎi bu qǐ.
This is too expensive, in other words, I can't afford it.
- 他只关心自己，换句话说，他很自私。繁: 他只關心自己，換句話說，他很自私。Tā zhǐ guānxīn zìjǐ, huànjùhuàshuō, tā hěn zìsī.
He only cares about himself; in other words, he is very selfish.
- 我没听懂老师的话。换句话说，这节课太难了。繁: 我沒聽懂老師的話。換句話說，這節課太難了。Wǒ méi tīng dǒng lǎoshī de huà. Huànjùhuàshuō, zhè jié kè tài nán le.
I didn't understand what the teacher said; in other words, this lesson is too difficult.
- 他从来不主动联系我，换句话说，他不在乎我。繁: 他從來不主動聯繫我，換句話說，他不在乎我。Tā cónglái bú zhǔdòng liánxì wǒ, huànjùhuàshuō, tā bú zàihu wǒ.
He never takes the initiative to contact me, in other words, he doesn't care about me.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:换句话说，他很帅。Correct:他有很多女孩子喜欢。换句话说，他很帅。
This phrase requires a preceding clause to explain it. It cannot be used alone without context.
- Wrong:换话说Correct:换句话说
This is a fixed four-character idiom; the character 句 cannot be omitted.