换言之

• Pinyin: huàn yán zhī
• Hanzi breakdown: 换 = 扌+ 奂 (hand + change); 言 = 口 + 二 (mouth + speech lines); 之 = classical possessive or pronominal particle

Meaning

In other words; that is to say; put differently. A formal discourse marker used to rephrase or clarify a preceding statement.

A formal written discourse connector equivalent to 'in other words' in English. Signals that the speaker or writer is restating the same idea in a different way, often for clarity or emphasis. Common in academic papers, legal documents, and formal speeches.

Examples

1. 该方案存在重大财务风险，换言之，贸然推进可能导致公司陷入资金困境。 This plan carries major financial risks—in other words, pushing it through rashly could leave the company in a cash crunch.
2. 他的话语含糊其辞，换言之，他并不打算给出一个明确的答复。 He spoke evasively; in other words, he had no intention of giving a clear answer.
3. 此条款赋予甲方单方面终止合同的权利，换言之，乙方在违约情形下几乎没有任何保护。 This clause gives Party A the unilateral right to terminate the contract—in other words, Party B has almost no protection in the event of a breach.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, legal, formal writing, speeches

Tone: precise

Do Say

• 研究结果表明两组数据之间不存在显著相关性，换言之，我们无法从现有数据中得出两者存在因果关系的结论。(The research results indicate no significant correlation between the two sets of data; in other words, we cannot draw conclusions about a causal relationship from existing data.)
• 该政策旨在提高公共服务效率，换言之，市民今后办理相关手续所需的时间将大幅缩短。(The policy aims to improve public service efficiency; in other words, residents will spend significantly less time handling related procedures in future.)

Don't Say

• 换言之 in casual conversation — it is formal and written in register; in spoken Chinese use 也就是说 or 就是说 instead

Origin & History

换 (change/swap) + 言 (words/speech) + 之 (it/them, classical particle) — to swap the words for it; to put it differently

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal