Explanation of "……，也就是说……"

The phrase "……，也就是说……" is a common structure in Chinese that translates to "that is to say" or "in other words" in English. It is used to clarify or rephrase a statement, providing additional explanation or emphasizing a point.

In this structure, the first part (before "也就是说") presents an idea or statement, while the second part (after "也就是说") elaborates on that idea, often simplifying or restating it for better understanding.

For example:

• "这是我的决定，也就是说不关你的事。" translates to "This is my decision; that is to say, it has nothing to do with you." Here, the second part clarifies that the decision is personal and not relevant to the listener.
• "他说这是他新买的书，也就是说他不想借给我们看。" translates to "He said this is his newly bought book; in other words, he doesn't want to lend it to us." The second part emphasizes the implication of the first statement.

This structure is particularly useful in both spoken and written Chinese for ensuring clarity and reinforcing the intended message.