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  • JLPT N3

という ([NOUN] that...)

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JLPT N3: という ([NOUN] that...)

In this N4 lesson, we saw how という is used to say "NOUN called..."

For example, we saw this sentence:

去年、スペインとフランスの間にあるアンドラという国に行ってきました。

きょねん、 スペイン と フランス の あいだ に ある アンドラ という くに に いって きました。

Last year I went to Andorra, a country located between Spain and France.

“last year, + Spain + と + France + の + space (between) + に + there is + Andorra + という + country + に + go (and) + came.”

What we're looking at in this lesson is somewhat similar: Using という to say "NOUN that..."

Specifically, the pattern "Plain-Form Word + という + NOUN" is used when talking about some kind of information, such as a rumor, discussion, notice, etc. that was given, heard, etc.


It's easiest to just look at an example:

いとこから叔母が亡くなったという知らせが来ました。

いとこ から おば が なくなった という しらせ が きました。

My cousin informed me that my aunt had passed away.

“cousin + from + aunt + が + passed away + という + notice + が + came.”

↑ More literally, that sentence is saying "A notice came from my cousin that my aunt had passed away."

In trying to make the English sound more natural, I decided to go with, "My cousin informed me that my aunt had passed away."


妻から今日は帰りが遅くなりそうだというメールが来た。

つま から きょう は かえり が おそく なりそう だ という メール が きた。

My wife messaged me to say that it looked like she'd be coming home late tonight.

“wife + from + today + は + returning home + が + late + looks like it will become + だ + という + message / email + が + came.”

A message came from my wife (saying) that it looked like she'd be coming home late tonight.
↓ ↓ ↓
My wife messaged me to say that it looked like she'd be coming home late tonight.


今年はショートヘアが流行るだろうという話を聞いた。

ことし は ショートヘア が はやる だろう という はなし を きいた。

I heard that short hairstyles are (probably) going to be popular this year.

“this year + は + short hair + が + be popular + だろう + という + talk + を + heard.”

I heard a talk (saying) that short hair is (probably) going to be popular this year.
↓ ↓ ↓
I heard that short hairstyles are (probably) going to be popular this year.


Starting to make a bit more sense?

I hope so. ^_^


In casual language, という gets changed to っていう or just って, instead:

あの病院は、おばけが出るっていう噂があるんだよ。

あの びょういん は、 おばけ が でる っていう うわさ が ある んだ よ。

There’s a rumor that that hospital is haunted.

“that + hospital + は, + ghost / monster + が + come out / appear + っていう + rumor + が + there is + んだ + よ.”

あの病院は、おばけが出るって噂があるんだよ。

あの びょういん は、 おばけ が でる って うわさ が ある んだ よ。

There’s a rumor that that hospital is haunted.

“that + hospital + は, + ghost / monster + が + come out / appear + って + rumor + が + there is + んだ + よ.”

That's it. You're finished!

...with this lesson, at least.

You may still wish to review some other lessons focusing on uses of the particle と, such as these:

- JLPT N4: と ([direct quotation])
- JLPT N4: と ([indirect quotation])
- JLPT N3: って ([hearsay marker])
- JLPT N4: という ([NOUN] called...)

Happy studies, fellow student!

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