と言われている
Is Said to Be
Use と言われている to describe what 'people in general' say or believe about something. It is the standard way to report a reputation or a widely accepted fact in formal contexts like news or articles.
How It Works
1. Meaning and Usage
と言われている translates to "It is said that..." or "People say that..." It is used when reporting information that is common knowledge, a rumor, or a general reputation. Unlike simply hearing something from one person, this pattern implies that a large group of people or society as a whole holds this view.
2. Grammatical Structure
It attaches to the Plain Form of the preceding clause:
- Verbs: [Plain Form] + と言われている (e.g., 来る（くる）と言われている)
- い-Adjectives: [Plain Form] + と言われている (e.g., 美しい（うつくしい）と言われている)
- な-Adjectives: [Plain Form + だ] + と言われている (e.g., 有名（ゆうめい）だと言われている)
- Nouns: [Noun + だ] + と言われている (e.g., 天才（てんさい）だと言われている)
3. Register
This is a formal and objective expression. You will frequently see it in news reports, textbooks, and formal presentations. In casual conversation, speakers usually prefer って or 〜そうだ to report hearsay.
Examples (4)
- 富士山は日本で最も美しい山だと言われている。
Mount Fuji is said to be the most beautiful mountain in Japan.
Word by Word: Mount Fuji (topic) Japan in most beautiful mountain is (quote) is being said.
This describes a general reputation that Mount Fuji holds among the public.
- この温泉は、いろいろな病気に効くと言われています。
It is said that this hot spring is effective against various illnesses.
Word by Word: This hot spring (topic), various illnesses to be effective (quote) is being said (polite).
The polite form 〜と言われています is used here to report a common belief about the spring's benefits.
- 納豆は健康にいいと言われているが、嫌いな人も多い。
Natto is said to be good for your health, but many people dislike it.
Word by Word: Natto (topic) health to good is (quote) is being said but, dislike people also many.
This contrasts a widely accepted health fact with personal preferences.
- 彼は子供の頃、天才だと言われていた。
It was said that he was a genius when he was a child.
Word by Word: He (topic) child time, genius is (quote) was being said.
Using the past tense 〜と言われていた indicates a reputation he held in the past.
Common Mistakes
Using it to report what a specific person said.
母は元気だと言われている。母は元気だと言っている。と言われている refers to general public opinion. If you want to say 'My mother says she is fine,' use と言っている.
Omitting 'だ' for Nouns or な-adjectives.
彼は有名と言われている。彼は有名だと言われている。When quoting a noun or a な-adjective with と, you must include the copula だ.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'と言われている', you need to grasp how the quotation particle 'と' works, how to form the passive voice (言われる), and how the 'ている' form indicates a current state or common knowledge.
- とAnd/with/quotation
The quotation particle 'と' is essential for marking the statement that is being said.
Level 1 - ているProgressive/resultative
The 'ている' form is used here to express a continuous state or a general fact that is currently true.
Level 2 - られる/えるPotential Form
This pattern uses the passive form of the verb 'to say' (言う -> 言われる) to express 'it is said' rather than 'someone says'.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- と言うTo Say That
The active form used to report what a specific person says.
Level 1 - そう（伝聞）I Heard That
A more common way to report hearsay ('I heard that...') in daily conversation.
Level 2 - って（引用）Casual Quotation
The casual, spoken version of the quotation particle used for hearsay.
Level 2 - Passive form
The underlying grammatical structure used to create the 'is said' meaning.
Level 3 - 有名だ/知られているFamous For/Known for
Often used alongside this pattern to describe fame or public knowledge.
Level 2 - によるとAccording to
Often used at the start of the sentence to specify the source of the information (e.g., 'According to the news...').
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice と言われている in Bubblegum
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