I read that 要するに and つまり are not always interchangeable. Still, I don't really
understand the difference between the two...
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2013-08-16T19:47:11.873
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2013-08-17T01:00:34.213
2013-08-16T19:48:00.543
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question
word-choice words
What is the difference between 要するに and つまり?
Not 100% sure on this, but I think `つまり` is used more for rewording something,
while `要するに` is more for "summing up" the "preceding" statements into a
"conclusion".
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2013-08-16T20:22:09.887
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2013-08-16T20:22:09.887
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answer
The two can be interchangeable but where as 要するに means "To summarise" or "in
short". つまり is usually taken to mean "in other words":

> 大敗した。要するに 力の差があった。
>
> It was a big defeat. In short, there was big difference (in strength).
>
> 財布をなくした。つまり お金がない。
>
> I have lost my wallet. In other words, I have no money.

There is a similar word to つまり、すなわち which also means "in other words" but is
not interchangeable because it does not convey a a conclusion:

> 母の兄、 すなわち おじさん。| My mother's elder brother. In other words my uncle.

I explain this because (I think*) in the following sentence つまり is
interchangeable with either 要するに or すなわち, illustrating the nuance you are
asking about.

> 友人の仕事は危険で、汚くて、おまけに
> きついらしい。ちなみにそういう仕事は俗に「３K」と呼ばれている。要するに「き」、すなわち「K」が３つつくというわけだ。
>
> I understand my friend's work is dangerous, dirty and hard. This kind of
> work, incidently is commonly referred to as 3Ks work. In short the ３ "ki"s
> or "K"s often come together.

*I should be grateful for if others would confirm correct me on this.
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answer