Usage note
总之用来总结前面说的话，表示简单地说。
Zǒngzhī yòng lái zǒngjié qiánmiàn shuō de huà, biǎoshì jiǎndān de shuō.
In short is used to summarize what was said before, meaning to put it simply.
Context note
当你说完很多话后，可以用总之来告诉别人重点。
Dāng nǐ shuō wán hěn duō huà hòu, kěyǐ yòng zǒngzhī lái gàosu biérén zhòngdiǎn.
After you say a lot, you can use in short to tell others the main point.
5 examples
总之，我们要努力学习。
zǒng zhī， wǒ men yào nǔ lì xué xí。
In short, we must study hard.
总之，今天很开心。
zǒng zhī， jīn tiān hěn kāi xīn。
In short, today was very happy.
总之，大家要团结。
zǒng zhī， dà jiā yào tuán jié。
In short, everyone should unite.
总之，这是个好主意。
zǒng zhī， zhè shì gè hǎo zhǔ yì。
In short, this is a good idea.
总之，我们成功了。
zǒng zhī， wǒ men chéng gōng le。
In short, we succeeded.
5 mini stories
小明说了很多话。总之，他想要一个玩具。
xiǎo míng shuō le hěn duō huà。 zǒng zhī， tā xiǎng yào yí gè wán jù。
Xiao Ming said a lot. In short, he wanted a toy.
小红讲了她的旅行。总之，她玩得很开心。
xiǎo hóng jiǎng le tā de lǚ xíng。 zǒng zhī， tā wán dé hěn kāi xīn。
Xiao Hong talked about her trip. In short, she had a lot of fun.
老师说了很多规则。总之，要听话。
lǎo shī shuō le hěn duō guī zé。 zǒng zhī， yào tīng huà。
The teacher said many rules. In short, be obedient.
妈妈讲了很多事情。总之，要早点睡觉。
mā ma jiǎng le hěn duō shì qíng。 zǒng zhī， yào zǎo diǎn shuì jiào。
Mom talked about many things. In short, go to bed early.
朋友说了很多理由。总之，他不能来。
péng yǒu shuō le hěn duō lǐ yóu。 zǒng zhī， tā bù néng lái。
My friend gave many reasons. In short, he couldn't come.
Mini dialogue
总结
A
今天学了很多，你有什么想法？
Jīntiān xué le hěn duō, nǐ yǒu shénme xiǎngfǎ?
We learned a lot today, what do you think?
B
总之，很有趣。
Zǒngzhī, hěn yǒuqù.
In short, it was very interesting.
计划
A
周末做什么好呢？
Zhōumò zuò shénme hǎo ne?
What should we do on the weekend?
B
总之，我们先去公园吧。
Zǒngzhī, wǒmen xiān qù gōngyuán ba.
In short, let's go to the park first.
Related words and contrasts
similar
总而言之
zǒng ér yán zhī
in summary
A more formal way to say 'in short'.
similar
一句话
yī jù huà
in a word
Another way to summarize.