つまり
tsumari
The English phrase "you mean" can be expressed in Japanese as つまり (tsumari).
つまり is used to summarize or rephrase a previous statement to ensure understanding, functioning similarly to the English "you mean" or "in other words".
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, つまり translates to "in short" or "in other words".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While つまり is widely used, using it in a very formal business setting to clarify a superior's words might sound slightly blunt. In such cases, a more polite phrase like 「ということでしょうか」 is preferred. For a formal way to ask "Do you mean to say…?" when addressing someone of higher status, you can use Ossharu tsumori de…
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike the English "you mean", which requires a subject and a verb, the Japanese つまり functions as a conjunction or adverb and does not change its form based on the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
tsumari
Did you know?
- The word tsumari can also be used to describe a physical state of being 'stuck' or 'plugged up', such as a nose being congested. It shares a conceptual root with the idea of a blockage that leads to a singular, condensed result.
- The word つまり is derived from the verb 詰まる, which means 'to be packed' or 'to be filled', reflecting the idea of condensing information into a summary.
- Depending on the speaker's tone, starting a sentence with つまり can signal impatience. It may imply that the speaker finds the current explanation too long and is rushing the other person to get to the point.
Examples in context
- つまり、明日休みということですか？Tsumari, ashita yasumi to iu koto desu ka?So, you mean tomorrow is a holiday?
- つまり、もう一度やり直しですね。Tsumari, mou ichido yarinaoshi desu ne.So, you mean we have to start over.
- つまり、君の意見は反対なんだね。Tsumari, kimi no iken wa hantai nan da ne.In other words, you are against the idea.
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are discussing their weekend plans.
- 大翔 Hiroto来週はちょっと忙しいんだ。Raishuu wa chotto isogashii nda.I'm going to be a little busy next week.
- 結衣 Yuiつまり、遊びに行けないってこと？Tsumari, asobi ni ikenai tte koto?So, you mean you can't go out?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、ごめんね。Un, gomen ne.Yeah, sorry.
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫だよ、気にしないで。Daijoubu da yo, ki ni shinaide.It's okay, don't worry about it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry つまり, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
