HSK 6
就是说/这就是说
jiù shì shuō / zhè jiù shì shuō
就是说 / 这就是说 – that is to say, meaning
Explanation
就是说 (jiù shì shuō) and 这就是说 (zhè jiù shì shuō) are connecting phrases used to explain, rephrase, or draw a conclusion from what was just said, equivalent to "that is / in other words / this means".
(这) + 就是说 (jiù shì shuō) + explanatory clause → placed at the start of the clause to clarify the preceding idea.
这就是说，责任不在你 (zhè jiù shì shuō, the responsibility is not yours).
used when you want to restate something more understandably or draw a conclusion from the previous information. 这就是说 emphasizes the cause-effect connection with the previous sentence more clearly than 就是说.
就是说 (jiù shì shuō) simply rephrases; 这就是说 (zhè jiù shì shuō) has 这 (zhè, this) pointing back to the previous sentence, so it emphasizes "from that it follows".
Vietnamese learners often forget the comma after this phrase, or confuse it with 也就是说 (yě jiù shì shuō) — a near-identical meaning but with 也 added, carrying the sense "which is also to say". Placing this phrase in the middle of a sentence instead of at the start of the clause also makes the sentence unclear.
Examples
That is, he is a dishonest person.
This means the responsibility is not yours; you must not blame yourself at all.
Practice
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Learn “就是说/这就是说” effectively
The grammar point “就是说/这就是说” (就是说 / 这就是说 – that is to say, meaning) is one of the key structures at HSK 6. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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