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所謂

いわゆる

so-called; what is called; what they call

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. これが所謂「天ぷら」というものです。

    これがいわゆる「てんぷら」というものです。

    This is what is called "tempura".

  2. 彼は所謂エリートだが、少しも偉ぶらない。

    かれはいわゆるエリートだが、すこしもえらぶらない。

    He is what you would call an elite, but he never puts on airs.

  3. この地域は所謂過疎地で、若者の姿をほとんど見かけない。

    このちいきはいわゆるかそちで、わかもののすがたをほとんどみかけない。

    This area is what is known as a depopulated region; you hardly ever see young people.

Common patterns

所謂〜というもの
the thing called ...
所謂一つの
what you might call a ...
所謂常識
so-called common sense

Memory tip

Almost always written いわゆる in kana; the kanji 所謂 is a classical spelling you meet in older or formal prose. It attaches directly to a noun with no particle, and in English it can be neutral ('what is called') or faintly sceptical ('so-called') depending on tone.

Kanji in this word

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What does 所謂 mean?