Posted inN4 Grammar

Mastering 「〜と言われている」 (to iwarete iru): What is Said in Japanese

Posted inN4 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“It is said that…”, “People say that…”, “It is believed that…”

🎯 Primary Function

To report information, facts, or beliefs that are widely known or commonly stated, often without specifying the source. It presents information as something generally accepted or heard.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Noun/Verb/い-adjective/な-adjective Plain Form] + と言われている (to iwarete iru)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Used frequently to report widely accepted facts, theories, or historical information in news articles, academic texts, and formal discussions.

😊 Informal Situations

Can be used informally to share common knowledge, rumors, or general opinions heard from others.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in written Japanese, especially in reports, articles, and textbooks, to state generally accepted information.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in conversations when referring to common knowledge, folklore, or information heard from multiple sources.

💡 Common Applications

Reporting facts or theories
Used to state information that is generally accepted as true or is a common theory.
Example: この病気はストレスが原因だと言われている。 (Kono byouki wa sutoresu ga gen’in da to iwarete iru.) – It is said that stress is the cause of this illness.
Reporting rumors or hearsay
Used to mention something that is rumored or commonly heard, without necessarily confirming its truth.
Example: 彼は来月会社を辞めると言われている。 (Kare wa raigetsu kaisha o yameru to iwarete iru.) – It is rumored that he will quit the company next month.
Stating common knowledge or folklore
Used for information that is part of common knowledge, proverbs, or traditional beliefs.
Example: 猫は夜目が利くと言われている。 (Neko wa yome ga kiku to iwarete iru.) – It is said that cats can see well at night.
📊
Frequency
Very common in both written and spoken Japanese, particularly when discussing general knowledge, news, or widely held beliefs.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate (Appropriate for JLPT N4 learners to understand and begin using).
Example Sentences
この山は富士山より高いと言われています。
It is said that this mountain is higher than Mt. Fuji.
納豆は体に良いと言われています。
It is said that natto is good for your health.
昔々、この村には大きな龍がいたと言われています。
Long, long ago, it is said that there was a big dragon in this village.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Reporting tool
〜と言われている is used to report something that is commonly said or believed by others. It is not usually the speaker’s direct opinion unless stated otherwise.
Example: 医者は毎日運動した方が良いと言っています。 (direct quote/statement from a specific source) vs. 毎日運動した方が良いと言われています。 (general belief/advice)
Passive form of 「〜と言う」
It literally means “is being said that…” or “it is said that…”. It implies the subject (the information) is being spoken about by an unspecified agent (people in general).
Example: この話は面白いと言われている。 (This story is said to be interesting.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using ます-form before と
✅ Always use the plain form before と言われている.
Incorrect: 彼は天才ですと言われています。 Correct: 彼は天才だと言われています。 (though often だ is omitted: 彼は天才と言われている。)
❌ Using it for personal, unique opinions
✅ Use 〜と思います or 〜によると〜そうです for personal opinions or information from a specific source.
〜と言われている is for information that is widely circulated or believed, not your unique perspective.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Generally neutral or slightly formal/objective, making it suitable for reporting information politely without asserting personal belief or source.
Social Situations: Used frequently in situations where citing a specific source is difficult or unnecessary, or when presenting something as common knowledge or a popular idea.
Regional Variations: The core pattern is standard Japanese. Regional variations might exist in the preceding plain forms or specific vocabulary used, but the 〜と言われている structure itself is nationwide.

🔍 Subtle Differences

〜と言われている vs. 〜によると〜そうです
〜と言われている reports something widely said or believed by unspecified people. 〜によると〜そうです reports information heard from a specific source (によると).
When to use: Use 〜と言われている when the source is general or unknown. Use 〜によると〜そうです when you know and mention the source (e.g., news, a person).
〜と言われている vs. 〜と言いました/言います
〜と言いました/言います directly quotes or reports what a specific person said at a specific time. 〜と言われている reports a general or ongoing state of being said.
When to use: Use 〜と言いました/言います for specific past or present statements by named individuals. Use 〜と言われている for general consensus or widely spread information.
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When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Connects to the plain form of verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives, and nouns. For な-adjectives and nouns, the だ at the end of the plain form is usually omitted, but can sometimes be included.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Ensure smooth connection between the plain form and と言われている. Practice saying example sentences aloud.

🧠 Memory Tips

Remember it as the “passive reporting form”. Think of it as information “being said” by the general public or tradition.

Practice Exercises
東京タワーの高さは３３３メートル＿＿＿＿。
と言われています
と言います
と言いました
と思います
A: このお寺は古いですか。 B: はい、とても古い＿＿＿＿。
と言います
と言いました
と言われています
と思います
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