有名だ/知られている
Famous For/Known for
Use 〜で有名だ (famous for) or 〜で知られている (known for) to describe the reason behind a subject's reputation. The particle で marks the reason or cause.
How It Works
This pattern is essential for describing the characteristics of places, people, or things.
1. The Particle で:
In this context, で functions as a marker for the reason or cause. It explains why the subject has its reputation.
2. 有名だ vs. 知られている:
- 有名だ (ゆうめいだ): Means 'famous.' It is often used for positive or neutral fame and carries a stronger sense of renown.
- 知られている (しられている): The passive + progressive/state form of 'to know.' It means 'is known.' It is more neutral and factual, implying that the information is common knowledge.
3. Connecting Verbs and Adjectives:
If the reason is an action or a quality (verb or adjective), you must use the nominalizer こと to turn it into a noun phrase before adding で.
Example: 走るのが速いことで有名だ (Famous for the fact that he runs fast).
Examples (4)
- 静岡県はお茶の生産で有名です。
Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for tea production.
Word by Word: Shizuoka Prefecture (topic) tea's production by famous is.
Here, the noun 'tea production' is directly followed by で to show the reason for the fame.
- この町は、古いお寺がたくさんあることで知られています。
This town is known for having many old temples.
Word by Word: This town (topic), old temples (subject) many exist fact by is known.
Because 'having many temples' is a clause, the nominalizer こと is required before で.
- 彼は独創的なアイデアを持つデザイナーとして知られている。
He is known as a designer with original ideas.
Word by Word: He (topic) original ideas (object) have designer as is known.
This uses として (as) instead of で to show his role or category rather than the reason.
- その歌手は、美しい声で世界中に知られています。
That singer is known throughout the world for their beautiful voice.
Word by Word: That singer (topic), beautiful voice by world-middle in is known.
知られている is used here to state a widespread fact about the singer's reputation.
Common Mistakes
Using the particle に to mark the reason for fame.
京都はお寺に有名です。京都はお寺で有名です。The particle に marks the audience (who knows it), while で marks the reason (why it is famous). Use で for the cause of fame.
Forgetting the nominalizer こと when using a verb.
彼は歌うで有名だ。彼は歌うことで有名だ。You cannot attach で directly to a verb. You must turn the verb into a noun using こと first.
Using the simple passive 知られる instead of the state 知られている.
この話は広く知られる。この話は広く知られている。知られる often implies a future event (will become known), whereas 知られている describes the current state of being known by the public.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'Famous For/Known For', you need to know how the particle 'で' marks a reason or cause. You also need to be familiar with な-adjectives for '有名' and the '~ている' form to understand the state of being 'known' (知られている).
- でLocation of Action/means
The particle 'で' is used in this pattern to indicate the reason or means for which something is famous (e.g., 'famous for its temples').
Level 1 - な-adjectives
The word '有名' (famous) is a な-adjective, so understanding how to use and conjugate な-adjectives is essential.
Level 1 - ているProgressive/resultative
The expression '知られている' is the passive form of 'to know' in the progressive/resultative state (~ている), meaning 'is known'.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- としてAs/in the Role of
Used to indicate a role or capacity (known 'as' X) rather than the reason for fame (famous 'for' X).
Level 3 - ことVerb to Noun
Required to turn verbs or adjectives into noun phrases so they can be used with this pattern.
Level 3 - Passive form
The base form used to create 知られている (is known).
Level 3 - と言われているIs Said to Be
A similar pattern meaning 'it is said that...', used to report general reputations or beliefs.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice 有名だ/知られている in Bubblegum
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