Grammar · Chapter 60
总而言之: in short
总而言之，conclusion
总而言之 opens the main conclusion after a long argument: 总而言之，这次旅行虽然辛苦，但收获很大. The meaning is the same as 总之, only weightier and a touch bookish. Don't begin every paragraph with it: it is a formula for summing up, not a filler.
Examples
- 总而言之，这次旅行虽然辛苦，但收获很大。 Zǒng'éryánzhī, zhè cì lǚxíng suīrán xīnkǔ, dàn shōuhuò hěn dà. All in all, the trip was exhausting, but it brought a lot.
- 总之，这个问题还需要大家进一步讨论。 Zǒngzhī, zhège wèntí hái xūyào dàjiā jìnyíbù tǎolùn. In short, we all still need to discuss this issue.
- 总而言之，这个办法行不通。 Zǒng'éryánzhī, zhège bànfǎ xíngbutōng. In short, this approach won't work.