总而言之

HSK 6

Conjunctions

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

总而言之，[Clause summarizing]

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

总而言之 is used to summarize what has been said previously, equivalent to 'in summary' or 'in general'.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

This is a fairly formal chengyu (成语) used to draw a conclusion after presenting multiple points. It is equivalent to "in summary" or "in general" in English, typically appearing at the beginning of a sentence followed by a comma.

总而言之 emphasizes distilling the essence of a matter from what has previously been analyzed or enumerated.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

总而言之，这次活动很成功。
繁: 總而言之，這次活動很成功。Zǒng'éryánzhī, zhè cì huódòng hěn chénggōng.
In short, this event was very successful.
总而言之，健康比什么都重要。
繁: 總而言之，健康比什麼都重要。Zǒng'éryánzhī, jiànkāng bǐ shénme dōu zhòngyào.
In short, health is more important than anything else.
总而言之，我们需要提高效率。
繁: 總而言之，我們需要提高效率。Zǒng'éryánzhī, wǒmen xūyào tígāo xiàolǜ.
In short, we need to improve our efficiency.
总而言之，他是个值得信任的人。
繁: 總而言之，他是個值得信任的人。Zǒng'éryánzhī, tā shì ge zhídé xìnrèn de rén.
In short, he is a trustworthy person.
总而言之，这部电影不值得看。
繁: 總而言之，這部電影不值得看。Zǒng'éryánzhī, zhè bù diànyǐng bù zhídé kàn.
In short, this movie is not worth watching.

Common mistakes

Wrong:他很帅，总而言之，我喜欢他。
Correct:他又帅又聪明。总而言之，我喜欢他。
总而言之 is used to summarize multiple points that have been mentioned, not just a single point. The correct sentence listed two advantages before drawing the conclusion.