In this article, we are going to talk about some phases to make a good conclusion in Chinese. A clear conclusion can change a reader’s or listener’s mind when they reach the end of your speech. Especially in Chinese, we tend to save the most important information in our last sentence. Now let’s learn some useful phrases to make a conclusion in Chinese.
綜上所述/综上所述 (zòngshàng shuǒshù)
In summary
This one is a little bit formal. It is often used in formal speech or writing.
綜上所述，如果希望快速提升自己的漢語水平，必須得每天努力
综上所述，如果希望快速提升自己的汉语水平，必须得每天努力
Zòngshàng suǒshù, rúguǒ xīwàng kuàisù tíshēng zìjǐ de hànyǔ shuǐpíng, bìxū děi měitiān nǔlì.
In summary, if you want to improve your Chinese language skills quickly, you have to work hard every day.
綜上所述，隨著科技的發展，人們對手機的依賴程度也越來越嚴重
综上所述，随着科技的发展，人们对手机的依赖程度也越来越严重
Zòngshàng suǒshù, suízhe kējì de fāzhǎn, rénmen duì shǒujī de yīlài chéngdù yě yuè lái yuè yánzhòng.
In summary, with the development of technology, people are more and more relying on cell phones.
總的來說/总的来说 (zǒngde láishuō)
In general; overall
總的來說，你的體檢報告還算是不錯的
总的来说，你的体检报告还算是不错的
Zǒng de lái shuō, nǐ de tǐjiǎn bàogào hái suànshì búcuò de.
Overall, your health checkup report is not bad.
他的學歷不錯，工作經歷也有，總的來說應該挺適合這工作
他的学历不错，工作经历也有，总的来说应该挺适合这工作
Tā de xuélì búcuò, gōngzuò jīnglì yěyǒu, zǒngde láishuō yīnggāi tǐng shìhé zhè gōngzuò.
His qualifications are good. Work experience is also ok. In general, he should be quite suitable for this job.
總而言之/总而言之 (zǒngér yánzhī)
In short; all in all
總而言之，學語言最重要的是過程不是結果
总而言之，学语言最重要的是过程不是结果
Zǒng’ér yánzhī, xué yǔyán zuì zhòngyào de shì guòchéng búshì jiéguǒ.
In short, the most important thing in learning a language is the process, not the result.
總而言之，如果你沒辦法做到當初就不應該答應我
总而言之，如果你没办法做到当初就不应该答应我
Zǒng’éryánzhī, rúguǒ nǐ méi bànfǎ zuò dào dāngchū jiù bù yīnggāi dāyìng wǒ.
In short, if you knew you couldn’t do it, you shouldn’t have promised me.
Modern Usage
When you can’t come up with a good conclusion you can say something like this
總而言之，言而總之，就是這樣
总而言之，言而总之，就是这样
Zǒng’ér yánzhī, yán’ér zǒngzhī, jiùshì zhèyàng.
Anyway, anyway, that’s it.
*If you just want to express ‘anyway’, you can say 總之/总之 zǒngzhī
When you have made a decision
總而言之一句話，我不要！
总而言之一句话，我不要！
Zǒng’ér yánzhī yíjù huà, wǒ búyào!
In a word, I don’t want it!
