Four-character Expressions - Briefly put
四字格 — 简（而）言之
Four-character expressions (four-character group) are frequent in writing and in a formal style. They condense an idea (often quasi-idiomatic).
Elements
How to use it
- Use 简（而）言之 as a fixed expression, without changing the character order.
- Placement: place 简（而）言之 at the beginning of a sentence or in an aside, just before the idea you comment on.
- Context: use this formula to introduce an opinion, a reaction, or a transition in a conversation.
- Start by memorizing the global meaning, then reuse the formula in complete sentences.
- Memorize the usual variants (简言之 / 而言之) and choose a single form per sentence.
- Start with a model sentence (In spoken language, often heard is the phrase ‘简言之’). Then replace only the context (subject, time, situation).
- For four-character groups, prefer written or formal contexts or citations.
Examples
在口语里，常听到“简言之”这种说法。
zài kǒuyǔ lǐ， cháng tīng dào “ zhī ” zhè zhǒng shuōfǎ。
Often heard in spoken language is the phrase ‘简言之’.
有些场合也会说“而言之”。
yǒuxiē chǎng hé yě huì shuō “ ér zhī ”。
In some contexts, also used is ‘而言之’.
Common mistakes
- Do not break the expression into isolated words: it functions as a block.
- Avoid literal translation and learn the global meaning in context first.
- When a variant is in parentheses, memorize the two possible forms without mixing them.
- Reuse the formula in a complete sentence, not as a single word.
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. 在口语里，常听到“____”这种说法。
(Often heard in spoken language is the phrase ‘简言之’.)
2. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Use **简（而）言之** as a fixed expression, without changing the character order.)
3. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Placement: place **简（而）言之** at the beginning of a sentence or in an aside, just before the idea you comment on.)
4. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Context: use this formula to introduce an opinion, a reaction, or a transition in a conversation.)
5. Quel élément complète le mieux cette règle ?
(Start by memorizing the global meaning, then reuse the formula in complete sentences.)