Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use phrases like 'in other words' to explain a complex idea more simply or to clarify your meaning for the listener.
- Use 'In other words' to simplify a previous statement. Example: 'He's a polyglot; in other words, he speaks many languages.'
- Use 'That is to say' for formal clarification. Example: 'The results were inconclusive, that is to say, we need more data.'
- Always place a comma after these phrases when they start a new sentence or clause.
Overview
in other words や I mean といったフレーズを使って、分かりにくいアイデアと明確な説明の橋渡しをします。自分の話に字幕をつけるようなものです。これを使うと、思慮深く、親切な印象を与えられます。さらに、気まずい思いをすることなく、自分の言いたいことを伝え直すチャンスが得られます。単なる繰り返しではなく、相手に合わせてメッセージを磨き上げているのです。チームメイトにゲームのルールを説明する時も、コーヒーの注文を確認する時も、これらの接続詞はあなたの強い味方になります。in other words という短いフレーズが、会話を救ったのです。「言い換えの接続詞」とは、同じことを2回言う技術ですが、2回目は別の言葉を使います。A1レベルの学習者にとって、これは非常に重要なツールです。なぜなら、複雑な考えをシンプルにできるからです。難しい言葉を知らなくても、簡単な言葉で説明できれば大丈夫です。これらの接続詞は、コミュニケーションの行き違いが起こる前に、それを防ぐのに役立ちます。相手が理解しているかどうかを気にかけていることを示せるからです。キャプションを短くまとめる必要があるSNSの世界や、指示を素早く出す必要があるゲームの世界では、言い換えができることは「超能力」と言っても過言ではありません。繰り返すことが目的ではなく、明確にすることが目的なのです。自分の考えを英語の簡単なバージョンに「翻訳」して提供しているようなものです。これにより会話がスムーズに進み、誰も何が起きているか分からないという、あの気まずい沈黙を防ぐことができます。How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
In other words、That is、または I mean です。
In other words, [より明確な考え].
The restaurant is fully booked. In other words, we cannot eat there tonight.
I have a lot of assignments. I mean, I am very busy.
When To Use It
- テキストメッセージ/マッチングアプリ: 少し意地悪に聞こえるかもしれないジョークを言った後、「I mean, 冗談だよ！」と続けて雰囲気を和らげることができます。
- 仕事/Zoom会議: タスクを説明して、同僚が困った顔をしていたら、「In other words, 金曜日までにレポートを終わらせる必要があるんだ」と言いましょう。
- SNS: インスタグラムのキャプションで、深い名言を説明する時に使います。「人生は旅だ。In other words, 目的地を気にしすぎるな」。
- 旅行: 料理を注文する時、店員が「乳製品抜き」というリクエストを理解してくれなければ、「In other words, 牛乳やチーズは入れないでください」と言えます。
- ゲーム: 「ボスの防御力が高いぞ。Put differently, まだ必殺技は使うな」。
Common Mistakes
- カンマの付け忘れ: これがテキストメッセージで最も多い間違いです。「In other words I am tired」のように書くと、急かされているように感じます。バンズのないハンバーガーを食べているようなものです。食べられはしますが、バラバラですよね。
- 新しい情報の導入に使う: まったく別のトピックを導入するために
in other wordsを使ってはいけません。
- フォーマルすぎる表現: カジュアルなWhatsAppのチャットで
That is to sayを使うと、19世紀の教授のように聞こえてしまいます。友達にはI meanやIn other wordsを使いましょう。 - 使いすぎ: すべての文の後に接続詞を使うと、壊れたレコードのように聞こえてしまいます。本当に説明が必要な瞬間のために取っておきましょう。
- 接続詞の使い分けミス:
I meanは言い間違いを直すのに適しています。In other wordsは難しい概念を説明するのに適しています。文脈に合わない場合は入れ替えないようにしましょう。
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- Vs.
For example:In other wordsは考えの「全体」をもう一度説明します。For exampleは考えの「一部」だけを例に挙げます。 - 「フルーツが大好き。For example, リンゴが好き」（具体的な1つのアイテム）
- 「フルーツが大好き。In other words, 健康的なおやつを食べているんだ」（習慣全体の説明）
- Vs.
Because:Becauseは理由を述べます。In other wordsは定義や簡単な言い換えを述べます。 - 「家にいるよ because 雨が降っているから」（理由）
- 「家にいるよ。In other words, パーティーには行かないよ」（簡略化）
- Vs.
So:Soは結果を示します。In other wordsは言い換えを示します。 - 「遅いから so 寝るよ」（結果）
- 「遅いね。In other words, パーティーは終わりだ」（言い換え）
Quick FAQ
in other words はフォーマルですか？
中間くらいです。上司にも親友にも使えます。とても使い勝手の良いフレーズです！
テキストで i.e. を使ってもいいですか？
とても短くまとめたい時や、専門的な内容の時だけにしましょう。i.e. はラテン語の *id est*（すなわち）の略です。カジュアルなDMでは I mean と打つのが無難です。
何かを言い換える一番短い方法は何ですか？
I mean を使ってください。たった2語で、ほとんどのカジュアルな場面で使えます。
接続詞の後には必ず完全な文が必要ですか？
普通はそうです。でもカジュアルな会話では、単語やフレーズだけを使うこともあります。「高いね。In other words, ぼったくりだ」。
put differently は一般的ですか？
少しおしゃれな言い方です。エッセイやブログの投稿などで、少し知的な印象を与えたい時に使ってみてください。
Common Reformulation Markers by Register
| Register | Marker | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Informal
|
Basically
|
To simplify a long story
|
Basically, we're lost.
|
|
Neutral
|
In other words
|
To restate for clarity
|
He's a CEO; in other words, the boss.
|
|
Neutral
|
To put it simply
|
To explain technical terms
|
To put it simply, it's broken.
|
|
Formal
|
That is to say
|
To define precisely
|
It is mandatory; that is to say, required.
|
|
Formal
|
Namely
|
To list specific items
|
Two colors, namely, red and blue.
|
|
Academic
|
Specifically
|
To narrow down a topic
|
We studied birds, specifically, eagles.
|
Common Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Full Latin | English Meaning | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
i.e.
|
id est
|
That is / In other words
|
Used to clarify a definition.
|
|
viz.
|
videlicet
|
Namely / To wit
|
Very formal, used for lists.
|
Meanings
Connective phrases used to introduce a second statement that explains or simplifies the preceding one.
Simplification
Taking a technical or complex idea and making it easier to understand.
“The software uses an asynchronous architecture. In other words, it doesn't wait for one task to finish before starting the next.”
Formal Clarification
Providing a more precise definition of a term just used.
“We need to improve our fiscal responsibility, that is to say, we must stop overspending.”
Specific Identification
Naming specific members of a group previously mentioned.
“Three students were chosen, namely, Sarah, John, and Alex.”
Reference Table
| フレーズ | 意味 | 主な使い方 | フォーマル度 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
`in other words`
|
言い換えれば／つまり
|
一般的な説明／簡略化
|
汎用的（中程度）
|
|
`that is to say`
|
つまり／言い換えれば（より正確に）
|
発言の明確化／詳細な説明
|
ややフォーマル
|
|
`to put it another way`
|
別の言い方をすれば
|
別の視点からの言い換え
|
汎用的（中程度）
|
|
`put differently`
|
別の言い方をすれば
|
よりシンプルまたは異なる視点を提供する
|
汎用的（中程度）
|
|
`namely`
|
すなわち／具体的には
|
特定の項目や詳細の導入
|
よりフォーマル
|
|
`i.e.`
|
つまり／言い換えれば（ラテン語由来）
|
正確な指定や明確化
|
フォーマル／学術的
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
The project is not fiscally viable; that is to say, the costs exceed our budget. (Business discussion)
The project is too expensive. In other words, we can't afford it. (Business discussion)
Basically, it's too much money. (Business discussion)
Bottom line: we're broke. (Business discussion)
英語での明確化と再表現の方法
一般的な言い換え
- `in other words` 簡略化または異なる言い方をする
- `to put it another way` 別の表現を提供する
具体的な明確化
- `that is to say` 詳しく説明する、または正確にする
- `namely` 具体的な例を導入する
- `i.e.` ラテン語で「つまり」；特定する
主な違い
- `i.e.` vs `e.g.` 明確化 vs 例示
明確化フレーズの選び方
言い換えは必要？
あなたの発言は不明確であるか、複雑すぎる可能性がありますか？
一般的に簡略化／言い換えをする必要がありますか？
含意を詳しく説明したり、特定したりする必要がありますか？
具体的な例や詳細を導入する必要がありますか？
明確化の表現
一般的な明確化
- • `in other words`
- • `to put it another way`
- • `put differently`
具体的な詳細説明
- • `that is to say`
- • `namely`
- • `i.e.`
例示のため
- • `e.g.`
- • `for example`
句読点のヒント
- • 導入フレーズの後にコンマ
- • 節をつなぐセミコロン
レベル別の例文
I like fruit. I mean, I like apples.
The shop is closed. I mean, no shopping today.
He is my brother. I mean, my big brother.
I am busy. I mean, I have no time.
The movie was boring. Basically, nothing happened.
He is a vegetarian. So, he doesn't eat meat.
I'm lost. I mean, I don't know this street.
She's a doctor. Basically, she helps sick people.
The project is over budget. In other words, we spent too much money.
He is a polyglot. In other words, he speaks many languages.
The water is potable. In other words, you can drink it.
I'm feeling under the weather. In other words, I'm sick.
The results were inconclusive; that is to say, we need to repeat the test.
To put it simply, the engine is dead.
The policy is mandatory, that is, everyone must follow it.
We need to diversify our portfolio; to put it another way, don't put all your eggs in one basket.
The witness was unreliable, namely, he changed his story three times.
The architecture is monolithic, which is to say, it lacks modularity.
He suffers from insomnia, or to be more precise, sleep-onset association disorder.
The treaty was signed by three nations, specifically, France, Germany, and Italy.
The protagonist's hubris—or, to use the vernacular, his big ego—leads to his downfall.
The fiscal stimulus was, in a manner of speaking, a drop in the ocean.
The law is retroactive, viz., it applies to events that occurred before it was passed.
Her performance was transcendent; that is, it went beyond the boundaries of ordinary experience.
間違えやすい
Learners use 'i.e.' (that is) when they want to give an example, and 'e.g.' (for example) when they want to clarify.
Learners use 'actually' to restate a point, but 'actually' is for correcting or adding surprise.
Namely is used for a complete list of specific things already mentioned. For example is for just one or two possibilities.
よくある間違い
I like cats, I mean dogs.
I like cats. No, I mean dogs.
I mean is it's cold.
I mean, it's cold.
I mean... (used every 3 words)
Use it only when clarifying.
I mean that I am happy.
I mean, I am happy.
Basically he is nice.
Basically, he is nice.
He is a doctor so he helps people.
He is a doctor; so, he helps people.
Basically, I am go home.
Basically, I am going home.
I mean, it is a big dog, for example, a Husky.
It is a big dog, for example, a Husky.
He is a polyglot, in other words, he speaks many languages.
He is a polyglot; in other words, he speaks many languages.
In other words oranges are orange.
In other words, oranges are orange.
I like sports in other words football.
I like sports, specifically football.
He is late, in another words, he is not here.
He is late; in other words, he is not here.
We need three things, namely: bread, milk, and eggs.
We need three things, namely, bread, milk, and eggs.
The viz. results were good.
The results, viz., the scores, were good.
He is a doctor, that is to say he works in a hospital.
He is a doctor, that is to say, he works in a hospital.
The car is red, specifically, it is crimson.
The car is red; specifically, it is crimson.
文型パターン
The ___ was ___; in other words, ___.
To put it simply, ___.
We need to ___, that is to say, ___.
There are two ___, namely, ___ and ___.
Real World Usage
I am very detail-oriented; in other words, I never miss a deadline.
Basically, I'm not coming.
The data is skewed, namely, the outliers are affecting the mean.
I'm allergic to nuts; in other words, no peanuts please.
To put it simply, your hard drive is broken.
The Party of the First Part, namely, the Landlord...
句読点は超重要！
`i.e.` と `e.g.` の間違いに注意！
i.e. は「つまり」「言い換えれば」（clarification）で、e.g. は「例えば」（illustration）であることを覚えておいてください。これらを混同すると、意味が全く変わってしまうことがありますよ。「I need to buy some groceries (e.g., milk, eggs, and bread).」効果的に、簡潔に使いこなそう
グローバルなコミュニケーションのニュアンス
書いたものを声に出して読んでみよう
Smart Tips
Immediately follow it with 'in other words' and a simpler definition to keep your reader engaged.
Use 'namely' instead of 'like' to sound more professional and precise.
Use 'I mean' to buy yourself a few seconds to think of a better way to say what you just said.
Replace 'Basically' with 'To put it simply' to avoid sounding too casual or dismissive.
発音
The 'In other words' pause
There is always a slight pause after 'words' before continuing the sentence. This is represented by the comma.
Linking 'That is'
In 'That is to say', the 't' in 'that' and the 'i' in 'is' often link together in American English to sound like a soft 'd'.
Rising-Falling
In other words (rise), he's late (fall).
The rise on 'words' signals that a clarification is coming.
暗記しよう
記憶術
I.O.W. = It's One Way (to say it differently).
視覚的連想
Imagine a bridge connecting a giant, heavy stone (a complex word) to a light, fluffy feather (a simple word). The bridge is labeled 'In other words'.
Rhyme
If your meaning isn't clear and you want to be heard, just start your next sentence with 'In other words'.
Story
A professor was giving a lecture about 'nocturnal felines'. The students looked confused. He stopped, smiled, and said, 'In other words, cats that stay awake at night.' Suddenly, everyone understood.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write a sentence about your job using a very difficult technical word, then use 'In other words' to explain it to a 5-year-old.
文化メモ
British speakers often use 'that is to say' more frequently in semi-formal speech than Americans, who prefer 'in other words'.
In Western academia, over-using 'basically' is seen as a sign of poor vocabulary. Students are encouraged to use 'specifically' or 'namely'.
Using 'to put it another way' is a common 'softening' technique in meetings to avoid sounding too aggressive when repeating a point.
The phrase 'in other words' has been used in English since the 1300s, appearing in Middle English texts to introduce translations or paraphrases.
会話のきっかけ
Can you describe your job in one sentence, and then say 'In other words' to explain it to a child?
What is a 'polyglot'? Use 'that is to say' in your answer.
If you had to explain 'cryptocurrency' to your grandmother, how would you start with 'Basically'?
Name three things you can't live without, using 'namely'.
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
The new app is very user-friendly, ___, it's simple enough for anyone to use.
That is to say は前の発言を明確にしたり、簡略化したりするために使われます。Namely は具体的な例を導入し、e.g. は「例えば」を意味します。Find and fix the mistake:
All students must bring essential supplies e.g., a laptop, pens, and paper.
E.g. は例を挙げるために使われます。元の文は e.g. を正しく使っていましたが、括弧内の句読点が不足していました。修正された文は、句読点を適切に含んでいます。Choose the correct sentence:
Namely は、先行する節を詳しく説明するリストを導入する際、その前にコロンまたはセミコロンを必要とすることが多いです。Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesThe results were negative; ___, the patient is healthy.
The atmospheric pressure is dropping rapidly. ___ it's going to rain.
Find and fix the mistake:
I have two brothers, in other words, Mike and Sam.
The financial obligations of the contract are currently exceeding our liquid assets.
You should always use a comma after 'In other words' at the start of a sentence.
Connect the following:
A: 'The software is incompatible with your OS.' B: '___, I can't use it?'
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe project deadline is flexible, ___, we can submit it next week if needed.
He has a lot of hobbies i.e., hiking, cycling, and reading.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'El objetivo principal, es decir, el más importante, es reducir los costes.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the phrases with their functions:
We need to focus on sustainable practices, ___, methods that protect the environment.
The car was a vintage model; in other words it was very old.
Which sentence correctly uses `namely`?
Translate into English: 'Ella es mi amiga, es decir, la conozco desde la infancia.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
The new policy affects all employees, ___, everyone from management to interns.
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
Yes, it is very common. Just make sure to follow it with a comma: `In other words, it's over.`
`i.e.` means 'that is' (clarification), while `e.g.` means 'for example' (illustration).
It can be if used to dismiss someone's complex point. In professional settings, use `to put it simply` instead.
If you are joining two full sentences into one, yes. Otherwise, use a period and start a new sentence.
Usually, 'namely' is used for a list, but it can be used for one thing if that thing is the specific identity of what you just mentioned.
No, 'I mean' is considered too informal for academic writing. Use `that is to say` or `in other words`.
It is a very formal abbreviation for 'namely'. You will mostly see it in old books or legal papers.
Try not to use it more than once or twice per page. Overuse makes your writing look like you can't explain things clearly the first time.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
En otras palabras / Es decir
Spanish speakers often use 'o sea' as a filler, similar to 'I mean', but much more frequently.
En d'autres termes / C'est-à-dire
French often uses 'soit' in mathematical or very formal logic contexts where English would use 'namely'.
Mit anderen Worten / Das heißt
German word order (V2) must be maintained after these connectors if they are part of the main clause.
言い換えれば (Iikaereba) / つまり (Tsumari)
Japanese connectors often appear at the very start of a sentence to set the logical frame for everything that follows.
بمعنى آخر (Bima'na akhar)
Arabic also uses 'ay' (أي) as a very short, formal particle to mean 'that is' or 'namely'.
换句话说 (Huàn jù huà shuō)
Chinese often uses 'jiùshì' (就是) in casual speech to mean 'that is' or 'I mean'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
関連動画
05:58 Will laser blasters ever be possible? - Christopher Baird
09:25 DnD Really Is Therapy
09:19 The Single Bolt of Lightning that Killed 835 Sheep
in other words / that is to say / namely の違いを解説！
Hapa Eikaiwa (ハパ英会話)
【英語】「つまり」を意味する表現を使い分けよう！in other words, that is to say, namely, i.e., e.g.
StudyInネイティブ英会話
【英語表現】「つまり」を英語で言うと？in other words, that is to say, namely, i.e., e.g. の違いを徹底解説！
Ryo English
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