综上所述 (zōng shàng suǒ shù) — to sum up; in summary; to conclude

Definition

A formal written phrase meaning 'to sum up / in conclusion', used to introduce the final summary in essays, reports, or speeches — more formal than the simpler 总而言之.

idiom
to sum upin summaryto conclude

Examples

  • 综上所述，。
    zōng shàng suǒ shù, Wǒ men kě yǐ dé chū jié lùn.
    To sum up, we can reach a conclusion.
  • 综上所述，。
    zōng shàng suǒ shù, Zhè ge fāng àn hái xū yào jìn yí bù tǎo lùn.
    In summary, this plan still needs further discussion.
  • 综上所述，。
    zōng shàng suǒ shù, Wǒ men yīng gāi cǎi qǔ xíng dòng.
    To sum up, we should take action.

Origin

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 綜; 综 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
宗
宗zōng綜zōng
Same sound today

The traditional form 綜 places 糸 beside 宗, with 宗 giving the sound; the simplified 综 is a shorthand, so its visible parts are not the historical parts.

Open 综 →

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

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
斤斤jīnaxe
Sound part声符shēngfú
戶
戶hù所suǒ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

所 pairs 斤, an axe, with 戶, which gives the sound hù; the old meaning was the sound of logging.

Open 所 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
朮
朮zhú述shù
Same sound today

述 combines 辵, a walking radical, with 朮, which gives the sound; the walking part belongs to the meaning.

Open 述 →

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