という(言う)[to iu]: be called/it means/that

September 13, 2020

It has two meanings.
The first is “be called“ and it is used to say what someone/something is called.
The second is “it means/that“ and it is used to emphasize what you mention before “という(言う)“ . It is often used to describe the meaning of something, to tell the point of something, or to tell what you hear/read. “っていう“ has the same meaning and it sounds more casual.

Meg is talking about the person in charge of accounting.

  • Meg: I’d like to file an expense report, but I don’t know what to do first. Do you know about it?
    経費を申請したいんだけど、まずどうしたらいいんだろう。知っている?
  • Amy:Yes, you can call a man named Kim in the accounting department. He will instruct you on how to submit the report.
    うん、経理部のキムさんという人に電話すればいいんだよ。申請書の提出方法を教えてくれるよ。
  • Meg: Thanks! (A few minutes later after she called him.) It went straight to voicemail and it said that he was on a business trip and would go back here in 3 days.
    ありがとう!留守電に繋がって、(キムさんは)出張中で、三日後に戻るみたい。
  • Amy: Which means you may not submit the expenses this month, right?
    今月、経費を申請できないかもしれないっていう事?
  • Meg: Yes. I’m okay if I get reimbursement for it next month.
    うん。来月(経費を)払い戻せればいいよ。
Ken and Leo are talking about the weathercast.

  • Ken: They say there’s going to be a big typhoon tomorrow.
    明日大きな台風が来るっていう、ニュースを見た。
  • Leo: That is, it’s going to be warmer than it was today and the train may be late...
    つまり、明日は今日より暑くなって、電車は遅れるかもしれない、という事か...
Ken and Leo are talking about girls.

  • Ken: Sara often uses hearts in the text (messages). Does it mean she likes me?
    サラは、チャットでよくハートを使うんだよね。それって、俺の事を好きっていう意味かな?
  • Leo: I don’t know how she feels about you. Girls tend to use a heart icon so often.
    彼女の気持ちは分からないけど、女子って(ハートを)よく使うよね。
  • Ken: Huh, I don’t like girls who are a teaser. I almost fell for her.
    あー、思わせぶりな女子は嫌だな。危うく、引っかかるところだった。

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