HSK 7-9
换句话说
huàn jù huà shuō
In other words
Structure
Statement A. 换句话说, Statement B.
How it works
This transition phrase is used to rephrase or simplify a previous statement for clarity or emphasis. It introduces a summary or a different perspective that leads to the same conclusion as the preceding information.
Examples
他的工作表现一直不理想，换句话说，他面临着被解雇的风险。
Tā de gōngzuò biǎoxiàn yīzhí bù lǐxiǎng, huàn jù huà shuō, tā miànlínzhe bèi jiěgù de fēngxiǎn.
His performance has been unsatisfactory; in other words, he is at risk of being fired.
这种物质的密度极小，换句话说，它非常轻。
Zhè zhǒng wùzhì de mìdù jí xiǎo, huàn jù huà shuō, tā fēicháng qīng.
The density of this substance is extremely low; in other words, it is very light.
我们不能再挥霍有限的资源了，换句话说，可持续发展迫在眉睫。
Wǒmen bùnéng zài huīhuò yǒuxiàn de zīyuán le, huàn jù huà shuō, kěchíxù fāzhǎn pòzàiméijié.
We can no longer squander limited resources; in other words, sustainable development is urgent.
Common mistakes
Using this phrase to introduce a completely new or unrelated topic rather than restating the previous point.
Tip
Think of '换句话说' as an equals sign (=) between two sentences where the second sentence is usually more direct or easier to understand.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 换句话说 in real Chinese
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