という
Called/That/Named
Use という to say 'called X' or 'the fact/rumor that X.' It bridges a specific name or idea to a general category.
How It Works
The pattern という is essential for introducing new information or defining terms. It has two primary uses:
1. Naming and Labeling: When you want to identify something by its name. For example, 'A person named Tanaka' is 田中という人. This is particularly important when the listener might not know the name you are mentioning.
2. Defining Content: It links a full clause to a noun that describes the type of information, such as 噂（うわさ - rumor）, 話（はなし - story/talk）, or 事実（じじつ - fact）. For example, 'The rumor that he is quitting' is 彼が辞めるという噂。
Key Nuances:
- Visibility: Use という for information that isn't obvious just by looking. You can see a 'tall man,' but you can't see a 'man named Tanaka' without being told.
- Casual Speech: In daily conversation, という often contracts to っていう or simply って.
- Hearsay: When used at the end of a sentence (e.g., 〜だという), it can mean 'I heard that...' or 'It is said that...' in formal contexts.
Examples (4)
- 田中という人から電話がありました。
There was a phone call from a person named Tanaka.
Word by Word: Tanaka called person from phone (subject) existed.
Here, という identifies the specific name (Tanaka) of the general category (person).
- これは日本語で何という花ですか。
What is this flower called in Japanese?
Word by Word: This (topic) Japanese-in what called flower is it?
何という is a common way to ask for the name or label of an object.
- 彼が結婚するという噂を聞きました。
I heard a rumor that he is getting married.
Word by Word: He (subject) marry that rumor (object) heard.
In this case, という connects the specific content (he is getting married) to the noun 'rumor'.
- 「ひまわり」という本を読んでいます。
I am reading a book called 'Himawari' (Sunflower).
Word by Word: 'Himawari' called book (object) reading am.
Using という indicates that 'Himawari' is the title of the book.
Common Mistakes
Using という for obvious physical descriptions.
背が高いという人を見ました。背が高い人を見ました。You don't need という for simple adjectives like 'tall' (背が高い) because you can see that quality. Use a plain noun modification instead.
Omitting という when introducing a specific name the listener doesn't know.
「さくら」レストランに行きましょう。「さくら」というレストランに行きましょう。Unless the restaurant is very famous, simply putting the name next to the noun sounds unnatural. という provides the necessary 'called...' framework.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'という', you first need to know how the quotation particle 'と' works and the basic verb '言う' (to say). Additionally, because this pattern often functions as a way to describe or define a noun, familiarity with basic noun modification is required.
- と言うTo Say That
This pattern is a grammaticalized version of the verb 'to say' (言う) used with the quotation particle 'と'. Understanding the literal meaning of 'to say' is essential.
Level 1 - Noun Modification
Since 'という' is frequently used to modify a following noun (e.g., 'Tokyo' called 'city'), understanding how phrases modify nouns is necessary.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- というのはX Means/X Is
Used specifically to define a topic or provide a reason for something previously mentioned.
Level 2 - って（引用）Casual Quotation
The casual, contracted version of という used frequently in daily conversation.
Level 2 - と言われているIs Said to Be
A passive form meaning 'it is said that,' often used for general beliefs or reputations.
Level 2 - と言えばSpeaking of
Uses the same 'say' root to mean 'speaking of X,' shifting the topic based on a keyword.
Level 2 - ことVerb to Noun
Often combined as ということ to nominalize entire clauses, turning them into facts or concepts.
Level 3 - とAnd/with/quotation
The basic quotation particle that という is built upon.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice という in Bubblegum
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