Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering 「というのは」: Explain, Define, and Give Reasons in Japanese (JLPT N3 Grammar)

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

「というのは」 is a versatile grammar pattern used to explain, define, or state the reason for something.

🎯 Primary Function

Its primary function is to clarify the meaning of a preceding word or phrase, or to introduce the reason for a situation or action.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Noun] というのは [Definition/Explanation] [Plain form of Verb/Adjective/Noun+だ] というのは [Reason/Explanation]

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in formal contexts, especially when defining terms or giving formal explanations.

😊 Informal Situations

Commonly used in informal conversation to explain things simply or state a reason.

✍️ Written Language

Frequently appears in written Japanese for definitions, explanations, and stating causes.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Very common in spoken Japanese for clarifying and explaining.

💡 Common Applications

Defining terms or concepts
Used after a noun or phrase to define or explain what it means.
Example: 哲学（てつがく）というのは、人生や世界について深く考える学問です。(Philosophy is an academic field where you think deeply about life and the world.)
Stating a reason or cause
Used after a plain form clause to introduce the reason for something mentioned before.
Example: 遅刻（ちこく）したというのは、電車（でんしゃ）が遅（おく）れたからです。(The reason I was late is because the train was delayed.)
Clarifying or rephrasing
Used to clarify or restate something that was said or is being discussed.
Example: 彼（かれ）の言（い）っていることというのは、つまり反対意見（はんたいいけん）ということだ。(What he is saying means, in other words, that it is a dissenting opinion.)
📊
Frequency
Very common in everyday Japanese, both spoken and written.
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N3
Example Sentences
AIというのは、人工知能（じんこうちのう）のことです。
AI is what is called Artificial Intelligence.
ダイエットに成功（せいこう）したというのは、毎日運動（まいにちうんどう）したからです。
The reason I succeeded in my diet is because I exercised every day.
私（わたし）が言（い）いたかったことというのは、もっと効率的（こうりつてき）にやろう、ということです。
What I wanted to say is, let’s do it more efficiently.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Connects to plain forms
When stating a reason, 「というのは」 follows the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives (replace だ with な), and nouns (replace だ with な or add な).
Example: Verb: 遅刻したというのは… (Plain past tense) い-Adj: 寒かったというのは… (Plain past tense) な-Adj: 大変だというのは… (大変だ -> 大変な + というのは) Noun: 病気だというのは… (病気だ -> 病気な + というのは)
Often implies “the reason/meaning is…”
While it translates broadly, 「というのは」 explicitly signals that the following clause provides a definition, explanation, or the reason behind the preceding topic.
Example: 失敗（しっぱい）したというのは、準備不足（じゅんびぶそく）だったからです。(The reason I failed is because of insufficient preparation.) – Here, “というのは” clearly marks “準備不足だった” as the reason.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using politeness levels before 「というのは」
✅ Use the plain form before 「というのは」 when stating a reason or explaining a situation.
「というのは」 itself can be part of a polite or informal sentence, but the clause directly preceding it when stating a reason should be in the plain form.
❌ undefined
✅ undefined
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral. The politeness of the sentence depends on the ending particle or verb form after 「というのは」.
Social Situations: Appropriate for explaining things in various social contexts.
Regional Variations: Generally standard across regions.

🔍 Subtle Differences

というのは vs とは
「というのは」 is more common in spoken Japanese and slightly less formal than 「とは」. 「とは」 is more often used for formal definitions in written language or presentations.
When to use: Use 「というのは」 in most everyday explanations and reasons. Use 「とは」 for more formal or dictionary-like definitions.
というのは vs っていうのは
「っていうのは」 is a more colloquial version of 「というのは」, very common in casual spoken Japanese.
When to use: Use 「というのは」 in standard spoken and written Japanese. Use 「っていうのは」 in casual conversations with friends and family.
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When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Connects to the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives (replace だ with な), and nouns (replace だ with な).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced smoothly, with the emphasis naturally falling on the information following 「というのは」.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「というのは」 as “speaking of [topic/reason]…” or “the meaning/reason is…”. Associate it with explanation and clarification.

Practice Exercises
「環境問題（かんきょうもんだい）というのは、将来（しょうらい）の地球（ちきゅう）にとってても_____ 問題（もんだい）です。」Fill in the blank.
大切だった
大切な
大切そう
大切で
「会議（かいぎ）に出（で）られなかった_____、急（きゅう）に仕事（しごと）が入（はい）ったからです。」Choose the correct particle/phrase.
ことは
そうは
というのは
だけに
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