JLPT N5 grammar

〜というmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. 「AというB」: a B called A.
  2. 「AというA」: every A without exception.
  3. 「Aということ」: the fact or information that A.
  4. 「Aという」: A is said or reported (as hearsay or rumor).

This point is also listed at N4 · N3 · N1.

How to form it

  • nounというnoun
  • plain formというnoun
  • plain formということ

How it is used

Most basically, 「AというB」 means “a B called A”, used for names the listener may not know. After a clause it states content (「〜という話」, the story that …). Sentence-final 「〜という」 reports hearsay, mostly in writing.

Examples

  1. 「桜」という曲、聞いたことあるの？

    Have you heard the song called “Sakura”?

  2. これは何という花ですか。

    What is this flower called?

  3. 先生が来週休むという話を聞きました。

    I heard that our teacher will be off next week.