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N3

Organizing Ideas: つまり / たとえば / 一方で

About 10 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

What each marker does

つまり summarizes or restates the point. たとえば introduces an example. 一方で presents another side, often a contrast or parallel viewpoint. These markers are essential in explanatory writing.

  1. Target signal

    電車もバスも止まっていた。つまり、今日は車以外で行けない。

    Both the trains and buses had stopped. In short, today I cannot go except by car.

    つまり restates the practical conclusion of the earlier sentence.

    Vocabulary notes
    つまり
    in other words
    いた
    was there
    って
    colloquial quoting or topic particle

  2. Compare in context

    日本には四季がある。たとえば、春には桜が咲く。

    Japan has four seasons. For example, cherry blossoms bloom in spring.

    たとえば introduces a concrete illustration of the broader claim.

    Vocabulary notes
    たとえば
    for example
    あるありません
    there is not; do not have
    ある
    to exist; to have

  3. Compare in context

    都会は便利だ。一方で、生活費が高い。

    Cities are convenient. On the other hand, the cost of living is high.

    一方で opens a contrasting side of the same topic.

    Vocabulary notes
    一方でいっぽうで
    on the other hand
    便利べんり
    convenient
    都会とかい
    city; urban area

Section 2 of 3

Paragraph logic

These markers often tell you the role of the sentence before you fully understand every word. つまり usually points back, たとえば points downward into detail, and 一方で opens a second perspective.

  1. Target signal

    この制度には多くの利点がある。たとえば、手続きの時間が短くなる。

    This system has many advantages. For example, it shortens the time needed for procedures.

    The second sentence supplies one supporting example.

    Vocabulary notes
    たとえば
    for example
    あるありません
    there is not; do not have
    ある
    to exist; to have

  2. Preview

    安い商品は人気がある。一方で、長く使えない場合もある。

    Cheap products are popular. On the other hand, they may not last long.

    The writer balances popularity with a drawback.

    Vocabulary notes
    一方でいっぽうで
    on the other hand
    あるありません
    there is not; do not have
    ある
    to exist; to have

Section 3 of 3

Reading focus

In N3-level passages, one sentence often defines the main claim while the next sentence gives an example or counterpoint. If you can identify that relationship quickly, comprehension becomes much easier.

  1. Target signal

    試験の準備は知識だけでは足りない。つまり、時間の使い方も重要だ。

    Knowledge alone is not enough for exam preparation. In other words, time management is also important.

    The summary sentence states the writer’s main takeaway.

    Vocabulary notes
    足りないたりない
    to be lacking; not enough
    だけで
    with only; just by
    つまり
    in other words

  2. Preview

    オンライン授業は便利だ。一方で、集中しにくいという声もある。

    Online classes are convenient. On the other hand, some people say they are hard to focus on.

    一方で marks a counterpoint rather than a brand-new topic.

    Vocabulary notes
    という〜という
    called; that is to say; named
    という
    called; that ...; saying that ...
    一方でいっぽうで
    on the other hand

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Organizing Ideas: つまり / たとえば / 一方で changes the meaning before you check the translation.

電車もバスも止まっていた。つまり、今日は車以外で行けない。 日本には四季がある。たとえば、春には桜が咲く。 都会は便利だ。一方で、生活費が高い。 この制度には多くの利点がある。たとえば、手続きの時間が短くなる。 安い商品は人気がある。一方で、長く使えない場合もある。 試験の準備は知識だけでは足りない。つまり、時間の使い方も重要だ。 オンライン授業は便利だ。一方で、集中しにくいという声もある。

Show English translation

Both the trains and buses had stopped. In short, today I cannot go except by car. Japan has four seasons. For example, cherry blossoms bloom in spring. Cities are convenient. On the other hand, the cost of living is high. This system has many advantages. For example, it shortens the time needed for procedures. Cheap products are popular. On the other hand, they may not last long. Knowledge alone is not enough for exam preparation. In other words, time management is also important. Online classes are convenient. On the other hand, some people say they are hard to focus on.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Organizing Ideas: つまり / たとえば / 一方で changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Organizing Ideas: つまり / たとえば / 一方で changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Organizing Ideas: つまり / たとえば / 一方で in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 5Choose the best context

Which marker introduces an example?

Activity 2 of 5Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Organizing Ideas: つまり / たとえば / 一方で).

電車もバスも止まっていた。＿＿＿、今日は車以外で行けない。

Activity 3 of 5Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1日本には四季がある。たとえば、春には桜が咲く。
  2. 2都会は便利だ。一方で、生活費が高い。
  3. 3電車もバスも止まっていた。つまり、今日は車以外で行けない。
Activity 4 of 5Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Organizing Ideas: つまり / たとえば / 一方で in the mini-reading?

Activity 5 of 5Infer from the passage

Cumulative checkpoint: Which reading habit helps you combine this lesson with the earlier grammar?

Mastery check 1/4

Which marker introduces an example?