Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 35/37

いわゆるWhat is called, So-called, Generally known

Structure

いわゆる + Noun

Details

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    Standard

  • Rare Kanji

    所謂

About いわゆる

いわゆる, occasionally seen in its kanji form 所謂(いわゆる), is a word that is used before nouns to indicate that something is 'what is called (A)', 'the so-called (A)', or 'generally known as (A)'.

いわゆる is a combination of いわ, a modern variant of いは, the indeterminate form of ()う 'to say', and ゆる, which is the classical literary equivalent of the auxiliary verb れる, the displacement verb indicator in its attributive form. In this way, the literal meaning of 'what is said to be (A)' is carried over into the English translations.

Fun-fact

The kanji for (いい) means 'oral tradition', and highlights the way that something is referred to over the course of different time periods, or in different places.

Examples

--:--

    それは所謂(いわゆる)神話(しんわ)というやつです。信用(しんよう)してはいけません。

    That is what is called a myth. I must not believe it.

    これは所謂(いわゆる)宣伝(せんでん)ですので、ご理解(りかい)ください。

    Since this is a so-called advertisement, please understand.

    これは所謂(いわゆる)葬式(そうしき)ではありませんので、(かな)しまないでください。

    This is not what you would call a funeral, so do not be sad.

    これは所謂(いわゆる)総理(そうり)案件(あんけん)というやつでは?

    Isn't this what is called a matter related to the prime minister?

    所謂(いわゆる)送料(そうりょう)ですが、無料(むりょう)でやらせてもらっています。

    This is generally known as (having) postage, but for you there is no charge.

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