GRAMMAR DETAIL
～という
Quotes a name or expression to identify or define the noun that follows.
Examples
駅の近くに青葉という小さな公園があります。
There is a small park called Aoba near the station.
Words used
「青空」という映画を見ました。
I watched a movie called Blue Sky.
Words used
「希望」という言葉の意味を調べた。
I looked up the meaning of the word hope.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: A name or expression takes
というto identify the following noun. - Basic usage:
「青空」という映画を見ました。identifies a film by quoting its title.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- The name and the kind of object
- In
青葉という公園,青葉is the name and公園identifies the kind of place. Distinguish the name itself from the object bearing it.
- In
- Naming and reporting speech
青空という映画is a noun phrase connecting a film with its name, while青空と言ったreports saying that expression. Its role differs according to whether it modifies a noun or reports an utterance.