Japanese word

いわゆる

Pronunciation

Romajiiwayuru

Meaning

  • pre-noun adjectivalso-called

Example

これはいわゆる人気の店です。ko re wa i wa yu ru nin ki no mise de su

This is a so-called popular restaurant.

Illustration for いわゆる (so-called)

More examples

彼はいわゆる有名人ですが、とても気さくです。kare wa i wa yu ru yū mei jin de su ga to te mo ki sa ku de su

He is a so-called celebrity, but he is very friendly.

Core concept

Presents a name or category as one that people commonly use for the thing being discussed.

Common phrases

  • いわゆる有名人i wa yu ru yū mei jin

    so-called celebrity

  • いわゆる専門家i wa yu ru sen mon ka

    so-called expert

  • いわゆる普通の人i wa yu ru fu tsū no hito

    so-called ordinary person

Definition in Japanese

一般にそのような名や分類で呼ばれていることを示す語。ip pan ni so no yō na na ya bun rui de yo ba re te i ru ko to o shime su go

Word origin

いわゆる (iwayuru) developed from the classical expression 言はるる (iwaruru), the passive form of 言う (iu, "say") meaning "be called."

Usage tips

  • In conversation, いわゆる (iwayuru) helps speakers refer to a familiar category or label, and it does not always carry the critical tone that "so-called" can have in English.

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