……，也就是说……
that is to say; in other words
Structure
A ， 也就是说 ， 换一种说法的 A
What it means
“That is to say; in other words”: restates what was just said in plainer or more concrete terms, or draws the consequence that follows directly from it.
How it is built
A ， 也就是说 ， + A said another way: 会议改到了下周五，也就是说，我们还有一个星期准备 (the meeting has moved to next Friday, which means we have another week to prepare).
When to use it
Neutral in register. In speech often 就是说; in formal writing 即; 换句话说 is close.
Watch out
What follows must say the same thing another way, not add a new reason or a contrast. ✗ 他很累，也就是说，他还很饿 ✓ 他三天没睡，也就是说，他已经累坏了.
Examples
圆周率在3.1415926和3.1415927之间，也就是说，误差不到千万分之一。
π lies between 3.1415926 and 3.1415927; in other words, the error is under one ten-millionth.
这种药一天吃三次，每次两丸，也就是说，一天一共吃六丸。
This medicine is taken three times a day, two pills at a time; in other words, six pills a day.
会议改到了下周五，也就是说，我们还有一个星期准备。
The meeting has been moved to next Friday, which means we have another week to prepare.
Learn this in Lesson 101 · HSK 6–7: 月球上的中国名字 (Chinese names on the Moon)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →