いわゆるwhat is known as; what people call
In front of a noun, いわゆる says that this is the name people give the thing: "what is known as…", "what people call…". English "so-called" usually hints at doubt. いわゆる often has none.
Those symptoms are close to what people call the "May blues".
How to form it
いわゆる + noun
It never changes, and no の comes between. The noun is often written in 「 」.
- After it
- A label people already use: a buzzword, a technical term, a set phrase.
- Tone
- Level, like someone explaining.
- Where you'll meet it
- News, commentary, essays and explanations, and in conversation when someone puts a name to something.
In use
She belongs to what is known as the digital-native generation.
Those two are what you would call childhood friends.
I fell for her the moment I saw her. Love at first sight, as they say.
In conversation it often comes with ってやつ: "that thing they call…".
Not always "so-called"
いわゆる only says the name is in use. When the rest of the sentence casts doubt on the name, it carries the doubt too.
He is what you would call the indoor type.
The usual word for someone like him. No doubt in it.
He is a so-called expert, but he has almost no practical experience.
The second half does the doubting.
Close neighbours
いわばN2
"So to speak": you are offering a comparison, and it isn't literally so. The two look alike, but with いわゆる the name is one people already use.
For anyone learning a foreign language, a dictionary is, so to speak, something like a map.
"Called": it introduces a name the other person may not know. いわゆる goes with a label everyone uses, so not with the name of a person or a shop.
There is a cafe called Aozora in front of the station.
Check yourself
1"There's a phone call from someone called Mori."
Choose an answer to see why.
2Does the person saying this doubt the label?
兄は
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
It comes from an old form of 言われる: "what is said". Some writers use the kanji 所謂.
More sentences
This novel can be read as what is called a coming-of-age story.
This system works as what is known as a safety net.
This is one form of what is known as local currency.
This community is one of what are known as "marginal villages".