Step 1: Connect to a Universal Experience
Imagine you’re talking to a friend and a word they’re not familiar with comes up. For example, maybe you mention the “gig economy,” and they ask, “What does that mean?”
In your head, you’re thinking, “I need to explain the meaning of the term ‘gig economy’.” The act of singling out that specific term—”gig economy”—to define or describe it is precisely where the Japanese phrase という (to iu) comes into play.
Step 2: Build the Bridge
という (to iu) acts like a set of quotation marks or a spotlight, highlighting the specific word or idea you want to talk about.
When you see the structure “A という B”, it creates a relationship that means:
- “B, which is called A”
- “B, which is the concept/content of A”
Think of という as the bridge that connects the name or content (A) to the general category or explanation (B). It singles out “A” and says, “this specific thing.”
Step 3: Demonstrate Through Examples
Let’s look at how という is used in real sentences.
1. Defining the meaning of a word
「デジタルトランスフォーメーション」とは、IT技術を使って生活やビジネスをより良く変革していくという意味です。
( ‘Dejitaru Toransufōmēshon’ to wa, IT gijutsu o tsukatte seikatsu ya bijinesu o yori yoku henkaku shite iku to iu imi desu. )
Translation: The term “Digital Transformation” means to innovate and improve life and business using IT.
- Explanation: Here,
というis used to single out the specific meaning (“to innovate and improve…”). It links the definition back to the term being defined. The pattern 「Aとは、Bという意味です」 (A to wa, B to iu imi desu) is a classic way to define something.
2. Introducing a person or thing
先ほど受付にいた田中という者から、伝言を預かっています。
( Sakihodo uketsuke ni ita Tanaka to iu mono kara, dengon o azukatte imasu. )
Translation: I have a message from a person named Tanaka who was at the reception desk earlier.
- Explanation: The speaker is specifying which person: “the person called Tanaka.” This is common when the listener may not know the person being referred to. It’s more specific than just saying 「田中さんから」 (from Tanaka-san).
3. Describing the content of information
部長が、至急確認してほしいという連絡をくださいました。
( Buchō ga, shikyū kakunin shite hoshii to iu renraku o kudasaimashita. )
Translation: My manager contacted me with the message that he needs me to check something urgently.
- Explanation:
というis used here to describe the content of the message. What kind of message was it? It was a message saying “I need you to check this urgently.” It packages the entire preceding clause as the content of the 「連絡」 (contact/message).
Step 4: Interactive Engagement
Now, let’s try to use it. Think of a unique slang term, technical concept, or cultural tradition from your background. How would you introduce it?
For example, how would you explain the concept of “brunch”? You could structure a sentence using という:
“Brunch is a meal that combines breakfast and lunch.”
→ 「ブランチというのは、朝食と昼食を兼ねた食事のことです。」 (Buranchi to iu no wa, chōshoku to chūshoku o kaneta shokuji no koto desu.)
Common Mistake:
Don’t confuse という (to iu) with the simple quoting of speech using the verb 言う (iu – to say).
- Correct: 彼が「大丈夫だ」と言った。 (Kare ga ‘daijōbu da’ to itta.) – He said, “It’s okay.” (Directly quoting the action of speaking).
- Nuance:
というis broader. It’s not just about the act of speaking, but about defining, specifying, or naming something.
Step 5: Reinforce Understanding
Let’s return to our first scenario: explaining the “gig economy.” Armed with your new knowledge, you can now explain it clearly:
“The ‘gig economy’ is a term that refers to a labor market characterized by short-term contracts or freelance work.”
→ 「ギグ・エコノミーとは、短期契約やフリーランスの仕事を中心とした労働市場という意味です。」 (Gigu Ekonomī to wa, tanki keiyaku ya furīransu no shigoto o chūshin to shita rōdō shijō to iu imi desu.)
In summary, という is an essential tool that acts as a “specifier.” It isolates a name, a phrase, or a concept so you can define it, describe it, or refer to it clearly.
As you listen to or read Japanese, start paying attention to how という is used. You’ll see it everywhere, and you’ll soon realize how it helps make the speaker’s meaning much more precise.
…And the same explanation in Japanese on Page 2.
