Reformulate with 换句话说
换句话说
How it works
换句话说 introduces a restatement intended to make the same point clearer. The second wording may draw out an implication, but it should remain supported by the first statement.
Use it to explain or clarify, rather than to introduce an unrelated claim. A useful check is to ask whether a listener could reasonably follow the second statement from the first.
The pattern
Example sentences
本周只在工作日开放，换句话说，周末不开放。
This week it is open only on working days; in other words, it is closed at the weekend.
总费用是一百元，两人各付一半；换句话说，每人付五十元。
The total cost is one hundred yuan, and the two people each pay half; in other words, each pays fifty yuan.
Pinyin generally shows citation tones; tones can change in connected speech.
What to watch for
A restatement needs enough context. The second example explicitly gives a total of one hundred yuan; without that total, “half” alone would not imply fifty yuan.
Try it
A total bill is 100 yuan. Restate 两人各付一半 using 换句话说.
Show answer
两人各付一半，换句话说，每人付五十元。 Each person pays fifty yuan.
Syllabus reference
The topic is listed in the official 2025 syllabus. The explanation, examples and practice on this page are written for SenMandarin.
SenMandarin · Updated 2026-10-22