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N3

Rephrasing and Definition with 〜という

About 10 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Naming and Labeling

〜という can connect a name or label to a noun. In this use it often means 'called' or 'named.'

  1. Target signal

    富士山という山は世界的に有名だ。

    A mountain called Mount Fuji is world-famous.

    The phrase introduces the name of the mountain.

    Vocabulary notes
    という〜という
    called; that is to say; named
    という
    called; that ...; saying that ...
    いう
    to say; to be called

  2. Compare in context

    『共感』という言葉を知っていますか。

    Do you know the word 'empathy'?

    The phrase marks the label being introduced.

    Vocabulary notes
    知っていますしっています
    know
    という〜という
    called; that is to say; named
    います
    there is; exists (animate)

Section 2 of 3

Definition and Explanation

〜というのは is often used to define, rephrase, or explain an idea. It is very common in essays, lessons, and interviews.

  1. Target signal

    花見というのは、春に桜を見ながら楽しむ行事のことだ。

    Hanami is the custom of enjoying cherry blossoms in spring.

    The phrase introduces a definition.

    Vocabulary notes
    という〜という
    called; that is to say; named
    ながら〜ながら
    while doing ...
    という
    called; that ...; saying that ...

  2. Preview

    多様性というのは、さまざまな違いを認めることだ。

    Diversity means recognizing many different kinds of differences.

    The writer rephrases the term in plain words.

    Vocabulary notes
    という〜という
    called; that is to say; named
    という
    called; that ...; saying that ...
    いう
    to say; to be called

Section 3 of 3

Reading Use

When a text becomes dense, という often helps organize information by naming, summarizing, or restating an idea. Treat it as a signpost rather than translating each instance the same way.

  1. Target signal

    日本では、花見という春の行事がある。

    In Japan, there is a spring event called hanami.

    The phrase labels a cultural item.

    Vocabulary notes
    という〜という
    called; that is to say; named
    という
    called; that ...; saying that ...
    あるありません
    there is not; do not have

  2. Preview

    人と人とのつながりが大切だという考え方もある。

    There is also the view that ties between people are important.

    Here という packages a clause as a labeled idea.

    Vocabulary notes
    という〜という
    called; that is to say; named
    という
    called; that ...; saying that ...
    あるありません
    there is not; do not have

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how 〜という changes the meaning before you check the translation.

富士山という山は世界的に有名だ。 『共感』という言葉を知っていますか。 花見というのは、春に桜を見ながら楽しむ行事のことだ。 多様性というのは、さまざまな違いを認めることだ。 日本では、花見という春の行事がある。 人と人とのつながりが大切だという考え方もある。

Show English translation

A mountain called Mount Fuji is world-famous. Do you know the word 'empathy'? Hanami is the custom of enjoying cherry blossoms in spring. Diversity means recognizing many different kinds of differences. In Japan, there is a spring event called hanami. There is also the view that ties between people are important.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how 〜という changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how 〜という changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of 〜という in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 5Choose the best context

What is a major function of 〜という?

Activity 2 of 5Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (〜という).

富士山＿＿＿山は世界的に有名だ。

Activity 3 of 5Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1『共感』という言葉を知っていますか。
  2. 2花見というのは、春に桜を見ながら楽しむ行事のことだ。
  3. 3富士山という山は世界的に有名だ。
Activity 4 of 5Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of 〜という in the mini-reading?

Activity 5 of 5Infer from the passage

Cumulative checkpoint: Which reading habit helps you combine this lesson with the earlier grammar?

Mastery check 1/4

What is a major function of 〜という?