换言之 (huàn yán zhī) — (fixed phrase) in other words, that is to say

Definition

Formal written phrase meaning 'in other words / that is to say' — used to rephrase or restate what was just said, typically in essays or speeches.

verb

(fixed phrase) in other wordsthat is to say

，换言之，。
Tā bù tóng yì zhè ge fāng àn, huàn yán zhī, tā fǎn duì wǒ men de jì huà.
He doesn't agree with this plan; in other words, he opposes our proposal.
，换言之，。
Wǒ men xū yào tí gāo xiào lǜ, huàn yán zhī, yòng gèng shǎo de shí jiān zuò gèng duō de shì.
We need to improve efficiency; in other words, do more in less time.
，换言之，。
Zhè ge xiàng mù shī bài le, huàn yán zhī, wǒ men dé cóng tóu kāi shǐ.
This project failed; in other words, we have to start over.

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 換; 换 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

奐

奐huàn換huàn

Same sound today

For the traditional form 換, 手 is the hand part and 奐 gives the sound; this note is about 換, not the simplified 换.

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.