Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering すなわち (Sunawachi): Clarify and Define Like a Pro (JLPT N3 Grammar)

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

That is, in other words, namely

🎯 Primary Function

Used to rephrase, clarify, or specify something that has just been stated, often providing a more precise definition or explanation.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Statement A] すなわち [Statement B (rephrased, clarified, or specified A)]

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in formal speeches, presentations, and official documents to provide clear definitions or explanations.

😊 Informal Situations

Rarely used in casual conversation. Sounds very stiff and unnatural.

✍️ Written Language

Commonly found in academic papers, essays, news articles, contracts, and other formal written materials.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in formal spoken situations like lectures or official addresses, but avoided in everyday chat.

💡 Common Applications

Providing a Definition or Rephrasing
Used to give a clearer or more precise definition or a different way of saying what was just mentioned.
Example: AはB、すなわちCである。 (A is B, that is, C.)
Specifying or Listing Examples
Used to introduce a specific example or list that falls under a broader category just mentioned.
Example: 彼はスポーツ万能だ。すなわち、野球、サッカー、テニスなど、何でもできる。(He is good at all sports. Namely, he can play anything like baseball, soccer, tennis, etc.)
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📊
Frequency
Moderate, primarily in formal and written Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate/Advanced (Often introduced around N3 level, but full mastery of its nuance and comparison to similar terms is N2+).
Example Sentences
私の専門は言語学、すなわち言葉の科学です。
My specialty is linguistics, that is, the science of language.
緊急事態、すなわち命に関わる状況では、冷静さが重要です。
In an emergency, namely a life-threatening situation, calmness is important.
彼は私の幼馴染み、すなわち幼稚園からの友達です。
He is my childhood friend, in other words, a friend since kindergarten.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Formality
すなわち is a relatively formal expression. Avoid using it in casual conversations or with close friends.
Example: カジュアル：あの人、つまり私の兄なんだけど… (That person, I mean, my older brother…) vs. フォーマル：彼は私の兄、すなわちこの会社の代表でございます。 (He is my older brother, that is, the representative of this company.)
Function
Its main function is to provide a more precise, clearer, or alternative way of expressing the preceding statement.
Example: 地球温暖化、すなわち気候変動は深刻な問題です。 (Global warming, in other words, climate change, is a serious issue.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using in casual conversation.
✅ Use つまり or いいかえれば in casual settings.
すなわち is too formal for informal contexts and will sound unnatural.
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Formal
Social Situations: Academic presentations, lectures, business reports, official documents, news reporting.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in usage or meaning.

🔍 Subtle Differences

すなわち vs. つまり vs. 要するに vs. いいかえれば
すなわち focuses on giving a precise definition or specification. つまり and 要するに are often used for summarizing or drawing a conclusion. いいかえれば is closer to “in other words,” offering an alternative phrasing but might be slightly less formal than すなわち.
When to use: Use すなわち when you want to provide a precise definition, specification, or a formal rephrasing. Use つまり/要するに for summarizing. Use いいかえれば for a simple rephrasing, potentially less formally than すなわち.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

すなわち is a conjunction/adverb and does not conjugate. It connects complete clauses or noun phrases.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced “su-na-wa-chi”. The し (shi) is typically pronounced clearly.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of すなわち as “SUre NAtural WAt CHaracterization/Clarification”.

Practice Exercises
次の文の( )に入れるのに最も適切なものを選びなさい。彼は日本の首都について話している。すなわち、( )のことだ。
大阪
東京
京都
札幌
「すなわち」を使うのに最も適さない文はどれですか？
私の趣味は読書、すなわち本を読むことです。
明日のパーティー、すなわち私の誕生日会に来てね！
光合成、すなわち植物が光を使ってエネルギーを作る過程。
AとBは等しい。すなわち、A=Bである。
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