Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“In short,” “To sum up,” “Basically,” “In essence.”
🎯 Primary Function
To condense a long explanation, argument, or series of points into a concise summary or the main conclusion. It signals that the speaker/writer is about to get to the core point, cutting through the details.
📋 Grammar Structure
「要するに」 is an adverbial expression that functions as a discourse marker. It typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause that presents the summary or main point. [Detailed explanation / Premise] 。要するに、[Summary / Main point]。
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in business presentations, academic papers, or formal discussions to provide a succinct summary after detailed explanations.
Informal Situations
Common in everyday conversations to simplify complex situations or to state one’s conclusion directly.
Written Language
Frequently appears in essays, reports, articles, and emails for clarity and conciseness.
Spoken Language
Very common in lectures, discussions, and daily conversations.
💡 Common Applications
Summarizing a long explanation or argument
After providing detailed information or a lengthy discussion, 「要するに」 is used to present the core takeaway or the ultimate implication.
Example: 彼はいつも遅刻するし、約束も守らない。要するに、信用できない人だ。(He’s always late, and he doesn’t keep promises. In short, he’s an untrustworthy person.)
Stating the core problem or conclusion
Used to pinpoint the fundamental issue or to deliver the final, condensed opinion after outlining various symptoms or details.
Example: このプロジェクトは予算が厳しく、人員も不足している。要するに、計画の見直しが必要だ。(This project has a tight budget and a lack of staff. To sum up, a review of the plan is necessary.)
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Frequency
High, especially in explanatory or argumentative contexts in both spoken and written Japanese.
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (JLPT N2). Understanding when and how to use it effectively requires a grasp of logical flow and context.
Example Sentences
彼はいつも遅刻するし、約束も守らない。要するに、信用できない人だ。
He’s always late, and he doesn’t keep promises. In short, he’s an untrustworthy person.
このプロジェクトは予算が厳しく、人員も不足している。要するに、計画の見直しが必要だ。
This project has a tight budget and a lack of staff. To sum up, a review of the plan is necessary.
彼女はたくさん勉強したし、模擬試験の成績も良かった。要するに、合格は確実だろう。
She studied a lot, and her mock exam results were good. Basically, passing is almost certain.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Role in Discourse
「要するに」 is used to provide a summary or the essential point after a preceding explanation or discussion. It acts as a signal to the listener/reader that you are about to get to the core message.
Example: 彼は長々と説明したが、要するに、何も解決しないということだ。(He explained at length, but in short, it means nothing will be resolved.)
Simplification
It often implies that the speaker is cutting through unnecessary details to simplify a complex topic or situation for clarity.
Example: この問題は非常に複雑ですが、要するに、資源の配分が公平ではないのです。(This problem is very complex, but in short, the resource allocation is not fair.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using without sufficient prior explanation
✅ Ensure there is enough context or detailed explanation before using 「要するに」. It is a summarizing phrase, not an introductory one.
「要するに」 is meant to condense information that has already been presented. If there’s no prior detail, it loses its purpose and can sound abrupt.
❌ Overusing in casual conversation
✅ While versatile, using it excessively can make your speech sound overly direct or as if you’re dismissing the listener’s intelligence.
It can imply “let me tell you the real deal” or “you don’t need to know the details.” Use it judiciously to maintain natural flow in conversations.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Generally neutral to slightly direct. While not inherently impolite, using it too bluntly in very formal settings where nuance is expected might come across as overly simplistic or dismissive of the preceding details.
Social Situations: Applicable in various situations, from casual conversations with friends to business meetings, academic lectures, and written reports when summarizing is needed for clarity.
Regional Variations: Universally understood and used across Japan; no significant regional variations in meaning or usage.
🔍 Subtle Differences
要するに (Yōsuruni) vs. つまり (Tsumari)
「要するに」 focuses on extracting the *essence* or *main point* from a complex situation, often leading to a conclusion or core problem. It emphasizes the fundamental message. 「つまり」 is more about *rephrasing* or *clarifying* something in simpler terms, or drawing a direct logical conclusion. It focuses on logical inference or simplification/reiteration.
When to use: Use 「要するに」 when you want to cut to the chase and state the fundamental point after a detailed explanation. Use 「つまり」 when you want to rephrase something to make it clearer, draw a direct logical consequence, or simply mean “in other words.”
要するに (Yōsuruni) vs. 結局 (Kekkyoku) / 結局のところ (Kekkyoku no Tokoro)
「要するに」 focuses on summarizing the *current* explanation or argument, bringing it to its immediate core. “This is the essence of what I’m saying.” 「結局」 or 「結局のところ」 focuses on the *final outcome* or *result* after a series of events or considerations. “What happened in the end was…”
When to use: Use 「要するに」 for summarizing the immediate point or the core message of a discussion. Use 「結局」 or 「結局のところ」 when discussing the ultimate result or conclusion of a process or a series of events.
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📝 Conjugation Notes
「要するに」 is an adverbial phrase and therefore does not conjugate. It is used as is.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounce 「ようするに」 with a long “o” sound for 「よう」 (yō), and the “suruni” flows together smoothly. A slight pause often naturally occurs before the summary that follows 「要するに」.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「要」 (yō) as meaning “important” or “essential.” So, 「要するに」 literally feels like “to do the essential thing” or “to get to the essential point.” Imagine drilling down to the “core” or “gist” of something.
Vocabulary List
遅刻
chikoku
lateness, absence (from appointment)
約束
yakusoku
promise, appointment
守る
mamoru
to keep (a promise), to protect
信用
shin’yō
trust, credit, reliance
プロジェクト
purojekuto
project
予算
yosan
budget
厳しい
strict, severe, difficult
Kanji List
要
よう
essence, point, requirement
遅
ち
late, slow
刻
こく
time, engrave
約
やく
promise, approximately
束
そく
bundle, promise
守
まも
protect, keep
信
しん
believe, trust
用
よう
use, business
人
じん/ひと
person
計
けい
plan, measure
画
かく
plan, picture
Practice Exercises
最近、仕事が忙しくて、残業も多い。週末も家で資料作成ばかりだ。要するに、＿＿＿＿＿＿。
仕事がとても楽しい。
早く休暇を取りたい。
健康に気をつけよう。
趣味の時間が増えた。
この新しいアプリは、デザインがシンプルで、操作も簡単、しかも無料だ。要するに、＿＿＿＿＿＿。
使いにくい。
誰にでもおすすめできる。
高すぎる。
機能が少ない。
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I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.