what is called; as it is called; so-called (いわゆる) – Japanese Grammar いわゆる (iwayuru)

Q: What JLPT level is いわゆる?

JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage

Q: How do you use いわゆる in a sentence?

Attach いわゆる to the appropriate verb or noun form. What is called; as it is called; so-called

Q: Is いわゆる formal or casual Japanese?

いわゆる is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

いわゆる

N2 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

iwayuru

what is called; as it is called; so-called

全く～ない mattaku~nai てはならない tewa naranai 恐らく osoraku 上 jou がきっかけで ga kikkake de 少しも～ない sukoshi mo~nai ものだ mono da しかも shikamo からには kara niwa げ ge もの / もん mono / mon ものだから mono dakara 少なくとも sukunaku tomo も当然だ mo touzen da か～ないかのうちに ka~nai ka no uchi ni 恐れがある osore ga aru そう言えば sou ieba どうやら dou yara お～願う o~negau でしかない de shika nai 全く～ない mattaku~nai てはならない tewa naranai 恐らく osoraku 上 jou がきっかけで ga kikkake de 少しも～ない sukoshi mo~nai ものだ mono da しかも shikamo からには kara niwa げ ge もの / もん mono / mon ものだから mono dakara 少なくとも sukunaku tomo も当然だ mo touzen da か～ないかのうちに ka~nai ka no uchi ni 恐れがある osore ga aru そう言えば sou ieba どうやら dou yara お～願う o~negau でしかない de shika nai

🃏 Flashcard

いわゆる

iwayuru

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what is called; as it is called; so-called

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N2

Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage

Reading iwayuru

Post ID 51030

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

what is called; as it is called; so-called

📖 How to use it

いわゆる marks a noun as the common or widely used name for something, often implying that the name may not be precise or that the speaker is distancing from it.

Attaches to Attaches directly before a noun (or noun phrase). No conjugation. It precedes the noun it modifies, like an adjective.

いわゆる is a set phrase meaning 'so-called' or 'what is called'. It introduces a name or label that is commonly known, but the speaker often implies that the label is not entirely accurate or that they have some reservation about it. For example, you might use it when quoting a popular term you wouldn't personally choose.

It is used in both spoken and written Japanese, but it sounds a bit formal and explanatory. In conversation, it often appears in contexts like news, explanations, or when introducing a term. It is not rude, but it can sound slightly detached or critical when the label is seen as misleading.

Because it is a fixed phrase, you don't need to worry about conjugation. Just place it directly before the noun you are labeling.

いわゆる「ダイエット」をしても、運動しないと意味がない。

Iwayuru 'daietto' o shite mo, undou shinai to imi ga nai.

Even if you do so-called 'dieting,' it's meaningless without exercise.

彼はいわゆるエリートコースを歩んできた。

Kare wa iwayuru eriito koosu o ayunde kita.

He has walked the so-called elite path.

この地域はいわゆる過疎地で、若い人が少ない。

Kono chiiki wa iwayuru kasochi de, wakai hito ga sukunai.

This area is a so-called depopulated region, with few young people.

Not いわばいわば means 'as it were' or 'so to speak', and is used for metaphors or analogies, not for common labels. いわゆる introduces a known name or term, often with a nuance of questioning it. For example, いわば人生は旅だ (Life is, as it were, a journey) vs. いわゆる「働き方改革」 (so-called 'work style reform').

Register Neutral to slightly formal; common in writing, news, and formal speech, but also used in everyday conversation when introducing a well-known term.

🎯 Quick Quiz

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いわゆる

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Press Hear it and repeat いわゆる three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Compose two original sentences using いわゆる. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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on one hand, on the other hand

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at last; finally; beyond doubt

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern いわゆる mean? ▼

What is called; as it is called; so-called

What JLPT level is いわゆる? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use いわゆる in a sentence? ▼

Attach いわゆる (iwayuru) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is いわゆる formal or casual Japanese? ▼

いわゆる is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember いわゆる long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.