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GRAMMAR
つまり
in short
in other words
Explanation
NOTE

つまり is used to summarize, clarify, or restate what was just said in simpler or more direct terms. It signals a conclusion or rephrasing.

彼かれは仕事しごとも家族かぞくも失うしなった。つまり、全すべてを失うしなったのだ。
He lost his job and his family. In other words, he lost everything.
Used here to summarize or restate a previous situation in a more concise or absolute way.
NOTE
  • Translated as in short, in other words, or that is to say.
  • Often used to bring a long explanation to a clear point.
  • Can also signal that the speaker is getting to the core meaning of something.
予算よさんが足たりない。つまり、このプロジェクトは無理むりだ。
The budget is insufficient. In short, this project is impossible.
This shows how 'tsumari' acts as a logical connector to draw a final conclusion from the facts stated previously.
STRUCTURE
... つまり ...
今日きょうは電車でんしゃもバスも止とまっている。つまり、行いけないということだ。
Kyou wa densha mo basu mo tomatte iru. Tsumari, ikenai to iu koto da.
Both trains and buses have stopped today. In other words, it means we can't go.
彼女かのじょは毎日まいにち練習れんしゅうしている。つまり、それだけ本気ほんきなんだ。
Kanojo wa mainichi renshuu shite iru. Tsumari, sore dake honki nan da.
She practices every day. In other words, she is that serious about it.
明日あしたは試験しけんです。つまり、今日きょうは勉強べんきょうしなければなりません。
Ashita wa shiken desu. Tsumari, kyou wa benkyou shinakereba narimasen.
There is an exam tomorrow. In other words, I must study today.

Practice exercises

1
彼かれは来こないらしい。つまり、今日きょうの会議かいぎは中止ちゅうしだ。
It seems he's not coming. In other words, today's meeting is cancelled.
Answer
つまり
2
雨あめで電車でんしゃが止とまった。つまり、遅刻ちこくする。
The train stopped due to rain. In short, I'll be late.
Answer
つまり
3
彼かれは父ちちの妹いもうとの息子むすこ、つまり私わたしのいとこだ。
He is my father's sister's son, in other words my cousin.
Answer
つまり
4
彼女かのじょは毎日まいにち練習れんしゅうを欠かかさなかった。つまり、合格ごうかくは努力どりょくの結果けっかにほかならない。
She never skipped practice. In other words, her passing is nothing but the result of her efforts.
Answer
つまり
5
明日は休みだ。詰つまり、学校へ行かなくていい。
Tomorrow is a day off. In other words, I don't have to go to school.
Answer
詰つまり
6
試験の結果は不合格だった。詰つまり、また来年挑戦する。
The exam result was a failure. In other words, I will try again next year.
Answer
詰つまり
7
来こなかった。つまり、嫌きらいだ。
He didn't come. In other words, he dislikes it.
Answer
つまり
8
予算よさんが足たりない。つまり、このプロジェクトは続行ぞっこうできない。
The budget is insufficient. In short, this project cannot continue.
Answer
つまり