How do you use "The bottom line" in a sentence?

The bottom line is we can't afford it right now. I don't care about the excuses — what's the bottom line? The bottom line is that she's the most qualified candidate.

The bottom line

Q: What does "The bottom line" mean?

The most important point; the final result or conclusion. Used to cut through details and get to the core of the matter. In business, it literally refers to the net profit on a financial statement. In everyday speech, it means 'here's what matters most.' Americans use it to wrap up arguments, summaries, and negotiations.

American Slang Term American ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Significado: The most important point; the final result or conclusion.

最重要的一点；最终结果或结论。

Lo más importante; el resultado final o la conclusión.

最も重要なポイント。最終的な結果や結論。要するに。

가장 중요한 핵심. 최종 결과나 결론. 요컨대.

Used to cut through details and get to the core of the matter. In business, it literally refers to the net profit on a financial statement. In everyday speech, it means 'here's what matters most.' Americans use it to wrap up arguments, summaries, and negotiations.

用于跳过细节直奔核心要点。在商业中，它字面指财务报表上的净利润。在日常用语中，意思是'最重要的是这个'。美国人常用它来总结争论、概述和谈判。

Se usa para ir al grano y llegar al núcleo del asunto. En el mundo empresarial, se refiere literalmente al beneficio neto en un estado financiero. En el habla cotidiana, significa 'esto es lo que más importa'. Los estadounidenses lo emplean para cerrar argumentos, resúmenes y negociaciones.

詳細を省いて核心に迫る時に使う。ビジネスでは文字通り財務諸表の最終利益（純利益）を指す。日常会話では「最も大事なことはこれだ」という意味。アメリカ人は議論、要約、交渉の締めくくりに使う。

세부 사항을 건너뛰고 핵심에 도달할 때 사용한다. 비즈니스에서는 재무제표의 순이익을 문자 그대로 가리키며, 일상 대화에서는 '가장 중요한 건 이거다'라는 뜻이다. 미국인들은 논쟁, 요약, 협상을 마무리할 때 이 표현을 사용한다.

Ejemplos

The bottom line is we can't afford it right now.
说到底，我们现在负担不起。
En resumen, ahora mismo no nos lo podemos permitir.
要するに、今はそれを買う余裕がないということだ。
요컨대, 지금은 그걸 살 여유가 없다는 거야.
I don't care about the excuses — what's the bottom line?
我不想听借口——结论是什么？
No me importan las excusas, ¿cuál es la conclusión?
言い訳はいいから——結論は何なんだ？
변명은 됐고—결론이 뭔데?
The bottom line is that she's the most qualified candidate.
归根结底，她是最有资格的候选人。
En definitiva, ella es la candidata más cualificada.
要するに、彼女が最も適任の候補者だということだ。
요컨대, 그녀가 가장 적합한 후보라는 거야.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: business, conversation, arguments

Tono: decisive, conclusive

✓ Correcto

The bottom line is...
The bottom line is...
En resumidas cuentas...
要するに…
결론은...
What's the bottom line?
What's the bottom line?
¿Cuál es la conclusión?
結論は何？
결론이 뭐야?

✗ Incorrecto

Jumping to the bottom line too early in a conversation can seem dismissive of important context
在对话中过早跳到结论可能显得忽视重要背景信息
Ir directamente a la conclusión demasiado pronto en una conversación puede parecer despectivo con el contexto importante
会話の早い段階で結論に飛びつくと、重要な文脈を軽視しているように見える
대화 초반에 너무 일찍 결론부터 말하면 중요한 맥락을 무시하는 것처럼 보일 수 있다

Origen e historia

From accounting, where the 'bottom line' of a financial statement shows net profit or loss — the number that ultimately matters. The figurative use spread through American business culture in the mid-20th century and into everyday language.

Contexto cultural

Era: 1960s-present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

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