Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“It is considered that…”, “It is thought that…”, “It can be thought that…”
🎯 Primary Function
To present a conclusion, a widely accepted view, or an inference that is based on facts, evidence, or logical reasoning, rather than personal opinion. It maintains objectivity and avoids direct assertion.
📋 Grammar Structure
[Plain form of Verb/い-Adjective/な-Adjective/Noun] + と考えられる * **Verb (Plain form):** V-ru / V-ta / V-nai / V-nakatta + と考えられる
* 例：来る -> 来ると考えられる (It is considered to come)
* 例：行った -> 行ったと考えられている (It is considered to have gone)
* **い-Adjective (Plain form):** い-Adjective + と考えられる
* 例：難しい -> 難しいと考えられている (It is considered difficult)
* **な-Adjective (Plain form):** な-Adjective + だ / だった / ではない / ではなかった + と考えられる
* 例：便利 -> 便利だと考えられる (It is considered convenient)
* **Noun (Plain form):** Noun + だ / だった / ではない / ではなかった + と考えられる
* 例：事実 -> 事実だと考えられる (It is considered a fact)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Highly common in academic papers, research reports, news articles, official statements, and business contexts.
Informal Situations
Rarely used. Sounds overly formal and stiff in casual conversation.
Written Language
Extremely prevalent. Ideal for conveying well-supported arguments or conclusions.
Spoken Language
Used in formal presentations, debates, or discussions where objectivity is required.
💡 Common Applications
Scientific and Academic Reporting
To present research findings or theories.
Example: 地球温暖化は人類の活動によるものだと考えられている。(Global warming is considered to be caused by human activities.)
News and Media
To report on situations or draw conclusions from available information.
Example: 犯人は現場に指紋を残したことから、特定が容易だと考えられます。(It is thought that identifying the culprit will be easy because fingerprints were left at the scene.)
Business and Official Documents
To state conclusions or assessments based on data.
Example: 来年の経済成長率は大幅に低下すると考えられます。(Next year’s economic growth rate is considered likely to decline significantly.)
Frequency
Very high in formal, academic, and journalistic settings. Moderate in general adult conversations when discussing more serious topics objectively.
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (N2). Requires understanding of passive voice and the nuance of expressing objective inference.
Example Sentences
この事件は事故ではなく、殺人事件だと考えられています。
This incident is considered to be a murder case, not an accident.
健康のためには、毎日適度な運動をすることが重要だと考えられています。
For one’s health, it is considered important to get moderate exercise every day.
将来、AIが社会のあらゆる分野に影響を与えると考えられる。
In the future, it is thought that AI will affect every field of society.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Objectivity
「〜と考えられる」 emphasizes that the statement is an objective conclusion or inference derived from facts, evidence, or logical reasoning, rather than a personal opinion. It translates to “it is considered that,” “it is thought that,” or “it can be assumed that.”
Example:
Passive Voice
It uses the passive voice (考えられる from 考える) to remove the subject, further enhancing objectivity and making the statement sound like a widely held or evidence-based conclusion.
Example:
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it for casual, personal opinions.
✅ Use 「〜と思う」 or simpler expressions for personal opinions in informal settings.
「〜と考えられる」 carries a formal and objective tone. Using it in casual conversation where you are merely stating your subjective thought can sound unnatural or overly formal.
❌ Confusing it with expressions of probability based on appearance.
✅ Recognize its distinct use for logical inference based on data/evidence, not just outward appearance.
While it implies a high degree of probability, this probability stems from reasoning and facts, not just what “seems” to be the case (like 「〜そうだ」 for appearance or 「〜ようだ」 for conjecture).
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Highly polite and formal. It is suitable for academic, professional, and public discourse, reflecting a desire to present information in an unbiased and well-reasoned manner.
Social Situations: Appropriate in contexts requiring impartiality, such as research presentations, news reports, official discussions, or when explaining a widely accepted theory.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations; it is standard formal Japanese.
🔍 Subtle Differences
「〜と考えられる」 vs. 「〜と思う」
「〜と考えられる」 is objective, based on evidence/logic; 「〜と思う」 is subjective, expressing personal opinion.
When to use: Use 「〜と考えられる」 when presenting a conclusion supported by facts or generally accepted reasoning. Use 「〜と思う」 for personal thoughts or beliefs.
「〜と考えられる」 vs. 「〜ようだ」 / 「〜そうだ」
「〜と考えられる」 is a reasoned conclusion; 「〜ようだ」 (it seems/appears) and 「〜そうだ」 (it looks like/I hear) are based on direct observation, sensory information, or hearsay, implying a less rigorous basis for the conclusion.
When to use: Use 「〜と考えられる」 when you have analyzed information and drawn a logical inference. Use 「〜ようだ」 when making a conjecture based on indirect evidence or appearance, and 「〜そうだ」 for direct appearance or reported information.
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📝 Conjugation Notes
It is the potential/passive form of 「考える」(to think). The structure is fixed: Plain form + と考えられる.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced “to kangaerareru.” The “e” in えられる is often slightly reduced in rapid speech, but for clear formal communication, pronounce all syllables distinctly.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「考える」(to think) + 「られる」(passive/potential). So, “it is able to be thought,” which naturally leads to “it is considered/thought that.” Imagine a group of experts *thinking* collectively, leading to a shared, objective conclusion.
Vocabulary List
考える
kangaeru
to think, to consider
られる
rareru
passive/potential auxiliary verb
地球温暖化
chikyū ondan-ka
global warming
人類
jinrui
humanity, mankind
活動
katsudō
activity
原因
gen’in
cause
犯人
culprit, criminal
Kanji List
考
コウ, かんが.える
think, consider
思
シ, おも.う
think
地
チ, ジ
ground, earth
球
キュウ, たま
ball, sphere
暖
ダン, あたた.かい
warm
化
カ, ケ
change, take the form of
人
ジン, ニン, ひと
person
類
ルイ
kind, type
活
カツ
lively, activity
動
ドウ, うご.く
move, motion
原
ゲン
origin, source
Practice Exercises
このデータから、消費者の購買意欲が（ ）と（ ）。
A. 上がる / 思います
B. 上がると / 考えられる
C. 上がって / ようです
D. 上がるので / そうです
専門家の分析によると、このウイルスは変異しやすいため、新しい対策が（ ）と（ ）。
A. 必要だ / 思う
B. 必要だと / 考えられます
C. 必要な / ようだ
D. 必要だから / そうだ
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