# という: called; that says

> Learn how to use という, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning called; that says, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-to-iu/

**という** means **called; that says**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.

This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does **という** mean and when should you use it?

## What does という mean?

Use **という** when you want to express **called; that says** in a Japanese sentence.

Natural translations include:
- called; that says
- called
- that says

## How to form という

Noun / phrase + という

Examples of the pattern:
- 田中さんという
- 「便利」という
- 明日休みだという

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

## When is という used?

Use **という** in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages

Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples

## という example sentences

- 田中さんという人を知っていますか。 — Do you know a person called Tanaka?
- これは「便利」という意味です。 — This means “convenient.”
- 明日休みだというメールが来ました。 — An email came saying that tomorrow is a day off.
- Haneというアプリを使っています。 — I use an app called Hane.
- 日本へ行きたいという気持ちがあります。 — I have a feeling that I want to go to Japan.

## Nuance of という

The key nuance is **called; that says in context**, not a word-for-word English replacement.

This matters because **という** often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.

## という vs って

Both **という** and **って** can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.

**という**:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- focuses on **called; that says**

**って**:
- is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
- may change the tone, evidence, direction, or relationship in the sentence

Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 田中さんという人を知っていますか。 — Do you know a person called Tanaka?
- Related pattern with **って**: compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness.

## Common mistakes with という

Watch out for these mistakes:
- Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context
- Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form
- Confusing **という** with **って** because the English can sound similar

## Is という on the JLPT?

Yes. **という** is connected to **JLPT N4** grammar in this blog.

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences

## Practice questions for という

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
- Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
- Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.

## Learning path for という

To learn **という** efficiently, use it as part of your **JLPT N4** quotation, thought, and definition grammar toolkit.

1. First, practice the quoted or defined content before **という**. These patterns depend on where the thought, question, name, or explanation begins and ends, so sentence boundaries matter more than a single English gloss.
2. Next, make one short sentence with **という**.
3. Then, write one sentence that uses **という** in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with a related pattern.
4. Finally, compare it with ではないか, のは〜だ, or と言ってもいい to see how the nuance changes.

## Related grammar to review next

- [ではないか](/blog/n4-dewa-nai-ka/) — builds control over quoted thoughts, questions, names, and explanations.
- [のは〜だ](/blog/n4-nowa-da/) — builds control over quoted thoughts, questions, names, and explanations.
- [と言ってもいい](/blog/n4-to-ittemo-ii/) — builds control over quoted thoughts, questions, names, and explanations.
- [と思う](/blog/n4-to-omou/) — builds control over quoted thoughts, questions, names, and explanations.

## Learn という with Hane

If you want to review **という** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)