Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Core idea
In casual Japanese, って often replaces と as a quotation marker. It is common in spoken language among friends and in informal messages.
Target signal
田中さん、来ないって。
They said that Tanaka isn't coming.
Quoted content comes before って in casual speech.
Vocabulary notes
- 田中さん
- Tanaka
- さん
- Mr.; Ms.; polite name suffix
- って
- colloquial quoting or topic particle
Compare in context
明日休みだって聞いたよ。
I heard that tomorrow is a holiday.
だって is a very common casual reported-information pattern.
Vocabulary notes
- いた
- was there
- って
- colloquial quoting or topic particle
- 休み
- day off; break; holiday
Section 2 of 3
Formation and patterns
Attach って to the quoted content, usually in plain style. It can appear with verbs like 言う, 聞く, 思う, and in casual reported information.
Target signal
彼はあとで電話するって言ってた。
He said he would call later.
って言ってた is a common everyday reporting chunk.
Vocabulary notes
- あとで
- later; afterward
- 言って
- saying and...
- あと
- after; later
Preview
この店、おいしいって友だちが言ってた。
My friend said this restaurant is good.
The quote itself can come before the reporting subject in casual speech.
Vocabulary notes
- おいしい
- delicious
- 友だち
- friend
- 言って
- saying and...
Section 3 of 3
Reading and nuance
Because って is casual, it appears most often in dialogue, text messages, and social writing. In formal writing, と is safer.
Target signal
A: みんな行くって？ B: うん、そうらしい。
A: Did they say everyone is going? B: Yeah, apparently so.
In casual questions, って can appear without 言う.
Vocabulary notes
- みんな
- everyone
- うん
- yeah / uh-huh
- そう
- so; that way; like that
Preview
先生が明日はテストだって。
The teacher said tomorrow is a test.
This is very common in casual student conversation.
Vocabulary notes
- テスト
- test
- って
- colloquial quoting or topic particle
- 先生
- teacher; instructor; doctor