というものだthat is what you'd call…
You give a verdict: this truly deserves the name. "That's just selfish." "That is what friendship is." It is said as if any sensible person would agree.
Looking the other way when someone is in trouble is just irresponsible.
Helping each other when things are hard: that is what friendship is.
How to form it
Noun/な-adjective/plain form + というものだ
A noun or な-adjective usually goes straight on, with no だ: 無理というものだ. Polite というものです. In conversation, ってもんだ.
- Before it
- The name it deserves, mostly a noun or な-adjective: 無理 (impossible), わがまま (selfish), 不公平 (unfair), 友情 (friendship), 人生 (life).
- Tone
- Firm, like a ruling. Often blame, and to someone's face it is a lecture.
- Where you'll meet it
- Essays, opinion columns, speeches, stern characters in novels and dramas, and casual talk, where it sounds blunt and worldly-wise.
In use
Wanting time off just for yourself? That's plain selfish.
Wanting results without making any effort is asking far too much.
虫がいい: expecting everything to go your way at no cost to yourself.
Things don't always go the way you want. That's life.
A set phrase.
Jumping to conclusions without even asking? That's just rude.
というものだ or ということだ?
Finishing all of it this week is just not possible.
もの: your own verdict.
The person in charge says that finishing all of it this week is impossible.
こと, after a source: you pass on what you were told.
ということだN3
It also sums up what has just been said: "so that means…".
This ticket is valid today only. In other words, that means you can't use it tomorrow.
というもの in the middle of a sentence
With no だ after it, というもの is usually just "the thing called".
This thing we call time is the same for everyone.
Other forms built on もの
"It's not simply that …": one thing alone doesn't settle it.
It's not as if saying sorry is all it takes.
ものがあるN2
"There is something … about it": a quality that strikes you.
There is something about her singing that moves people.
"I'd love to", "I do wish they would": a wish said with feeling.
Just once, I'd love to see the northern lights.
"Isn't there some way to …?": you wonder, hoping or worrying.
This heat: can't something be done about it?
After a potential verb (会える), "if I only could". After a volitional form (言おう), "if you so much as …".
If only I could, I would see my late grandfather once more.
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
毎日
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
天気予報に
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
They didn't hide the mistake and reported it at once. That is what taking responsibility looks like.
Only when people who did the same work are judged by the same standard is it truly fair.
…てこそ: "only then is it truly…".
Going back to help his companions, knowing the danger: that is true courage.
Going so far as to ask someone you have only just met what they earn is downright cheeky.