Structure
Phrase + というのは(1) + ［い］Adjective + （という）ことなの(2)だ(3)
Phrase + というのは(1) + Verb + （という）ことなの(2)だ(3)
Phrase + というのは(1) + ［な］Adjective + な(4)ことなの(2)だ(3)
Phrase + というのは(1) + Noun + の(4)ことなの(2)だ(3)
(1) って、とは、ということは、というのは
(2) なん
(3) である、でござる
(4) という
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Standard
About ことなの
When the noun こと (or 事 in its kanji form) is combined with なの, it conveys an explanatory meaning that is similar to what can be seen in the んです・のです grammar pattern. As with んです, ことなの transforms 'it is (A)', into 'it is that it is (A)', simply emphasizing the point.
ことなの may be seen in several different forms, and is quite often used in conjunction with というのは. In these types of sentences, というのは will present the topic, before ことなの will be used to show the conclusion that the speaker has drawn about that topic.
This expression may be used with any word in its attributive form, nouns followed by の, or な-Adjectives followed by な.
という may also be used directly before ことなの. However, this is not always the case, and is even more unlikely when it was already utilized in the first half of the sentence.
Caution
As というのは is quite long, it will often be shortened to って or とは in casual speech.
Caution
ことなの is also frequently used when asking questions. This is usually when the speaker has drawn a conclusion about something that has been said, and wants to confirm their understanding.
- つまりそこに一人で行くと危ないということなのか。You mean that it is dangerous to go there alone?
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そんなに怒ることですか。This is not something you should get so worked up over.
なのか is very frequently heard/seen in drama, novels, manga, and similar types of media, but may be considered rude in daily speech.
Synonyms
ということだ
I heard that, Rumor has it that, It is said that, It means that
Not studied yet
というのは
~ Known as ~ is, ~ Called ~ is, ~ Means ~, Because
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こと
Converting a verb into a noun
Not studied yet
ということ
~ing, The ~ that ~ (Nominalization)
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ということは
That means, That is to say
Not studied yet
Examples
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ハダウェイ：「恋愛とはどういう事なのだろうか。」
Haddaway: 'Love, what does it mean?'
つまり、その病気が感染症ではないという事なのである。
In other words, it means that the disease is not infectious.
チーターのように走るとは足が速いという事なのだ。
'Running like a cheetah' means to be fast.
「ザクシャ・イン・ラブ」とは「愛を永遠に」という事なのだ。
'Zawsze in love' means 'forever in love'.
頭が切れるというのは頭がいい事なのだ。
'To be sharp' means ' to be smart'.
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Breakdown of なのだ
Nihongo Master
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Tobira
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ことなの – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (3 in total)
seanblue
This was offered as an alternative answer, but isn’t it wrong with the の before という?
Daru
It’s been updated, thank you for pointing that out!
ultigonio
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