简言之 (jiǎn yán zhī) — in short; in a word; briefly

Definition

A written, formal phrase meaning 'in short / in a word' — used to introduce a summary or conclusion, mainly in essays and reports, not casual speech.

idiom

in shortin a wordbriefly

简言之，。
jiǎn yán zhī, Zhè ge fāng àn bù kě xíng.
In short, this plan is not feasible.
简言之，。
jiǎn yán zhī, Wǒ men xū yào gèng duō de zī jīn.
In a word, we need more funding.
简言之，。
jiǎn yán zhī, Tā de guān diǎn jiù shì rú cǐ.
Briefly, that's his point of view.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 簡; 简 is its simplified writing.

竹間簡

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

間

閒xián簡jiǎn

Same sound today

In the traditional form 簡, 竹 (bamboo) is paired with 間 (also written 閒) as a sound part; the simplified 简 is a later shorthand.

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Appears in