就是说

• Pinyin: jiù shì shuō
• Hanzi breakdown: 就 = 京 + 尤, then/just; 是 = 日 + 正, to be; 说 = 讠+ 兑, to speak

Meaning

That is to say; in other words; meaning that. A phrase used to clarify or rephrase a statement.

A discourse marker used to explain, clarify, or rephrase what was just said. Similar to 也就是说 or 换句话说. Often used when making something more explicit or drawing conclusions from previous statements. Common in both spoken and written Chinese.

Examples

1. 公司决定裁员百分之十，就是说大约有两百人会失去工作。 The company decided to lay off ten percent of staff — that is to say, about two hundred people will lose their jobs.
2. 你的意思就是说我们应该换一个方案？ So what you're saying is we should switch to a different plan?
3. 机票加酒店一共五千块，就是说人均两千五。 Flight plus hotel is five thousand yuan total, meaning 2,500 per person.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, explanation, everyday

Tone: clarifying

Do Say

• 就是说你同意了？(So you're saying you agree?)
• 也就是说我们没有选择了。(In other words, we have no choice.)

Don't Say

• 在书面正式文体中过度使用就是说 (In formal writing, use 即 or 也就是 instead — 就是说 is more colloquial)

Origin & History

Phrase composed of 就是 (exactly/just is) + 说 (to say). Functions as a connector meaning 'what this means is...'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal