という is a versatile pattern used for naming, quoting, and defining. It literally means "called" or "that says."
Main uses:
Naming - Introducing names
- 田中という人 (a person called Tanaka)
- 「桃太郎」という話 (a story called Momotaro)
Quoting/Explaining - Conveying information
- 明日来るということだ (I hear that they are coming tomorrow)
Defining - Explaining concepts
- 愛というもの (the thing called love)
Common expressions:
• ということは - That means...
• というのは - The reason is... / What I mean is...
• というより - Rather than...
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
という = called, that says
- 田中という人 (a person called Tanaka)
- 行くという話 (the story that [they'll] go)
って = casual という
- 田中って人
Used for definitions and quotations
I read a book called The Tale of Genji.
I hear that they are coming tomorrow.
There is a call from someone named Tanaka.
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