Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 1: 18/18

と言(い)う事(こと)~ing, The ~ that ~ (Nominalization)

Structure

Phrase + ということ

Details

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About ということ

One of the ways to perform nominalization (turning a phrase into a noun) in Japanese is through the use of the expression ということ. This grammar point is a combination of と (the particle), 言(い)う (the verb), and こと (the noun). Together, the literal translation is close to 'that (A) is said to be'. However, in reality, it sounds far less formal than this.

To use ということ, attach it to the end of any phrase (without です, or ます). In most cases it will be written using hiragana.

In conversation, という is regularly shortened to simply って. This form will be heard/seen much more frequently in conversation/manga and similar things.

ということ is also frequently used when clarifying what someone else has said. In these cases, it translates very similarly to 'you mean that (A)?', or 'you mean to say that (A)?'

Caution

Although the kanji 言(い)う and 事(こと) may be used in this expression, the most common form does not use any kanji at all. This is a regular occurance in Japanese, as many set grammatical structures will not use kanji, simply because it makes the pattern easier to identify.

Examples

--:--

    もう別(わか)れたいという事(こと)？

    It means that you want to break up? (Phrase to noun)

    この店(みせ)は美味(おい)しいという事(こと)をよく聞(き)きます。

    I often hear that this restaurant is delicious. (Phrase to noun)

    私(わたし)がみんなの分(ぶん)を払(はら)うという事(こと)ですか？

    Do you mean I should pay for everyone? (Phrase to noun)

    真面目(まじめ)になるという事(こと)ですね。

    You mean that you will get serious? (Phrase to noun)

    私(わたし)が、一人(ひとり)でお皿(さら)を洗(あら)わなくてはいけないという事(こと)ですか？

    Do you mean that I have to wash the dishes all by myself? (Phrase to noun)

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ということ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (26 in total)

  • FlippFuzz

    FlippFuzz

    I believe that I’ve found this grammar point in Tae Kim’s Guide.
    It is just a small subsection.

    https://guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/define

    Section: “Rephrasing and making conclusions with 「という」”

    • We can also simply use 「こと」 to sum up something without rephrasing anything.

    Example Dialogue
    A：みきちゃんが洋介と別れたんだって。
    A: I heard that Miki-chan broke up with Yousuke.

    B：ということは、みきちゃんは、今彼氏がいないということ？
    B: Does that mean Miki-chan doesn’t have a boyfriend now?

    A：そう。そういうこと。
    A: That’s right. That’s what it means.

    So, I guess the explanation on Bunpro could probably titled as “Summing Up” or “Do you mean …?” to make it clearer on what it is doing.
    Not too sure why is it labelled as Normalization when more or less all of the examples are for “Summing Up”.

  • nihongo_noob

    nihongo_noob

    +1 this could be clearer

    I suspect that ということを can be used as a substitute for the と use case where you’re not necessarily making a direct quote from someone but to reference some statement/idea you’ve heard before.

  • crisp-y

    crisp-y

    1. あの先生の教え方が酷いと聞いた。
      “I heard that the way that teacher teaches is harsh.”
    • This is a direct report of what someone said.
    • The sentence feels more conversational and straightforward—it sounds like you simply received this information from someone.
    1. あの先生の教え方が酷いということを聞いた。
      “I heard things about how that teacher’s way of teaching is harsh”
    • This makes the sentence sound a bit more formal, explanatory, or indirect—as if you’re referring to a general claim or piece of information rather than directly repeating what was said.
    • ということ makes it more about the general concept or conclusion you’ve come to based on indirect or accumulated information.

    Basically, と is a direct quote, but ということ in this case is an interpretation of indirect information. If mu...

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