Have you ever met someone who knows everything about a certain topic?
Maybe there’s that one colleague at your office who’s mastered every accounting trick and system, the living dictionary of bookkeeping. Or maybe you have a friend who’s always reading, the so-called bookworm.

In Japanese, we use いわゆる (iwayuru) to describe exactly that, something or someone that’s commonly known or referred to in a certain way.

It’s like saying “what we call…” or “the so-called…” in English.
You’ll often hear it before a noun to explain what that thing is generally known as.

It’s an N2-level expression that adds clarity and a touch of sophistication to your speech, often used when defining, labeling, or describing ideas in a formal or thoughtful way.

Let’s take a closer look at how いわゆる works, so you can use it naturally when talking about all those so-called things around you!

という (to iu) vs と呼ばれる (to yobareru) vs いわゆる (iwayuru)
All three can be translated as “called” or “known as,” but they have slightly different shades of meaning.

という is the most basic and neutral. It simply names something, like introducing its label or title.

富士山という山。
ふじさん という やま。
fujisan to iu yama.
A mountain called Mt. Fuji.

と呼ばれる is a bit more formal and focuses on who or by whom something is called that way. It’s often used in news, academic writing, or polite speech.

お盆と呼ばれる行事。
おぼん と よばれる ぎょうじ。
obon to yobareru gyouji.
An event called Obon.

いわゆる, on the other hand, expresses general recognition or common understanding. It’s used when describing something as it’s commonly known in society, similar to “the so-called” in English.

 彼はいわゆる天才タイプの学生です。
かれはいわゆるてんさいたいぷのがくせいです。
Kare wa iwayuru tensai taipu no gakusei desu.
He is what you would call a genius-type student.

彼女はいわゆる本の虫です。
かのじょ は いわゆる ほん の むし です。
kanojo ha iwayuru hon no mushi desu.
She’s what you’d call a bookworm.

彼はこの業務について何でも知っている、いわゆる生きる辞書ですね。
かれ は この ぎょうむ に ついて なんでも しっている、いわゆる いきる じしょ です ね。
kare ha kono gyoumu ni tsuite nandemo shitteiru, iwayuru ikiru jisho desu ne.
He knows everything about this job, a so-called “living dictionary.”

私の兄はいわゆるJ-popに興味があります。
わたし の あに は いわゆる じぇいぽっぷ に きょうみ が あります。
watashi no ani ha iwayuru jeipoppu ni kyoumi ga arimasu.
My older brother is interested in what’s called J-pop.

私は過去に、いわゆるブラック企業で働いたことがあります。
わたし は かこ に、いわゆる ぶらっく きぎょう で はたらいた こと が あります。
watashi ha kako ni, iwayuru burakku kigyou de hataraita koto ga arimasu.
I once worked at what people call a “black company.”
*ブラック企業 (burakku kigyou): “black company”, a term for exploitative workplaces that overwork employees.

これは、いわゆる「神対応」ってやつですね！
これ は、いわゆる「かみたいおう」って やつ です ね！
kore wa, iwayuru “kamitaiou” tte yatsu desu ne!
This is what you’d call “divine service”!
*神対応 (kami taiou): “divine response”, slang for incredibly kind or professional service.

• Grammar Point: いわゆる (iwayuru)
• JLPT Level: N2
• Meaning: What is called, the so-called, commonly known as
• Quick Explanation: Use いわゆる before a noun to describe something that’s commonly known or referred to by a certain name.
  
  

So that’s how we use いわゆる!
It’s a great expression for describing cultural ideas, trends, or common terms in a clear and natural way.

私はいわゆる甘党で、ケーキやクッキーやチョコレート、それから和菓子でも、とにかく甘いものが大好きです！
わたし は いわゆる あまとう で、けーき や くっきー や ちょこれーと、それから わがし でも、 とにかく あまい もの が だいすき です！
watashi ha iwayuru amatou de, keeki ya kukkii ya chokoreeto, sorekara wagashi demo tonikaku amai mono ga daisuki desu!
I’m what you’d call a sweet tooth, I just love anything sugary, from cakes and cookies to chocolates and even Japanese sweets!

Now it’s your turn! Try using いわゆる to describe something you personally identify with or something common in your culture!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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