Structure
Phrase + というのは(1) + (Definition) Phrase(2)
(1) とは、って
(2) (Reason) Phrase
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About というのは
というのは is a phrase that combines the case marking particle と, the う - Verb 言う, and the nominalizing particle combination のは. Together, they are usually translated as 'the ~ known as ~ is ~', or 'the ~ called ~ is ~'. Sometimes, it can even simply be '~ means ~'. In essence, というのは is just a way to turn an entire phrase into a noun, before explaining that noun further. This explanation of (A) will either be to give a definition of it, or to give a reason for it.
To use というのは, attach it to the end of a phrase that you would like to indicate as being something that will be explained further '(A)', and then follow it with your definition/reason, '(B)'.
Caution
Unlike というのは, which is mainly used to strongly present facts, or highlight points of discussion, replacement of は with the adverbial particle も can be used either as a rebuttal or as an extension of the original statement. This is when someone wants to show that (B) has equal weight when compared to (A). It may also be used to give the reason or cause for (A).
Caution
というのは is sometimes used at the beginning of a new sentence, when the speaker wants to add extra information about what has already been said. In these situations, the translation is similar to 'what I mean to say is ~', or 'because of that, ~'.
Caution
というのは is regularly abbreviated as とは, or って. This can be a little bit hard to identify in casual speech, but the '(B) explains (A)' concept will still almost always apply, so should be identified that way.
Related
Examples
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雪というのは、自然現象です。
(The thing called) Snow is a natural phenomenon.
人生というのは儚いものだな。
(The thing known as) Life is such a fleeting thing, isn't it?
働くというのは大変なことだ。
(The thing known as) work is a hard thing.
子供というのはかわいいものだな。
(The thing known as) Children are cute.
習慣というのは恐ろしいものだ。
(The thing known as) Habit is such a scary thing.
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〜というのは・とは
絵でわかる日本語
Why is というのは used (both times) in this sentence?
JStackExchange
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Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
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Tobira
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というのは – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
ljoekelsoey
Following on from @nekoyama’s explanation, here’s how the use of both will affect a sentence.
こめというのは日本の主食物。
(The thing called) Rice is the staple food of Japan
In this sentence, the subject is The thing called Rice.こめという日本の主食物(はとても美味しい。)
Rice, the staple food of Japan, (is very tasty.)
In this sentence, the subject is Rice, the staple food of Japan.dom1911
I am interested in differentiating the casual use of this grammar point って from the casual use of は (also being って), how do I tell them apart?
highliuk
I can’t see the difference between every example sentence in this grammar point and the same sentence without というの. Take a look:
雪というのは、自然現象です。
雪は、自然現象です。人生というのは儚いものだな。
人生は儚いものだな。働くというのは大変なことだ。
働くのは大変なことだ。子供というのはかわいいものだな。
子供はかわいいものだな。習慣というのは恐ろしいものだ。
習慣は恐ろしいものだ。What are the differences between those pairs of sentences?
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