要するにin short; the point is
A lot has been said, and 要するに boils it down to the one point that matters: "in short". Aimed at someone else's explanation, it can sound impatient.
The budget is smaller, the deadline is earlier, and there will be no additional staff. In short, we need to scale back the plan.
How to form it
Explanation。 要するに、+ the point
It opens the sentence that gives the point, usually with a comma after it.
- Before it
- Several facts, or a long explanation.
- After it
- The one thing to take away: a conclusion, a decision, or a question that asks for one.
- Where you'll meet it
- Meetings, presentations, essays, everyday conversation.
In use
The same fault keeps coming back however often it is repaired, and parts are getting hard to find. In short, it is probably time to replace it.
Most users were bothered less by the fee than by how hard it was to operate. In short, what needs improving is ease of use, not price.
From a report.
Aimed at someone else, it can sound impatient
Summing up your own words, 要するに is neutral. Summing up what someone else has just said, it can sound as if they took too long to get there, which is risky with a boss or a customer.
I do want to go, but I've been busy lately, and I've got no money…
Basically, you don't want to go, do you?
So what are you actually trying to say?
It is softer when you say that you are the one who is lost.
There are so many conditions that I can't follow them. The bottom line is, can I use this program?
Close neighbours
つまりN3
"In other words": says the same thing another way, and can reword a single phrase. 要するに needs more to boil down. After a long explanation, either fits.
The deadline is Friday, in other words the last business day of this week.
ということはN2
"Which means…": works out something new from one fact. 要するに looks back over all that was said and gives its point.
The lights in the meeting room are off. That means the meeting must be over already.
結局N3
"In the end", not "in short". It tells how things turned out after effort, doubt or a lot of talk; 要するに gives the gist of what was said.
I listened to the explanation for an hour, but in the end I didn't really understand it.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
この
Choose an answer to see why.
2You have been telling a friend about a problem for some time, and she says this. How does she sound?
要するに、
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
要は
要 is the "main point", as in 要点. In conversation you will also hear the shorter 要は, "the point is".
The point is, it's a question of motivation.
More sentences
This program requires registration in advance and renewal every year. In short, applying once is not the end of it.
He avoided explaining and did not answer the questions either. In short, he probably has no intention of taking responsibility for his own decision.
Sales grew, and spending was held at about last year's level. In short, the company's finances are improving.
Inquiries are increasing, there are too few staff, and replies are running late. In short, we need more service desks.