と言われている・
What people in general say or hold, with nobody named as the source. You report it without vouching for it.
what people say
This temple is said to have been built in the eighth century.
what is settled
Under this system, anyone under sixteen counts as a child.
what experts think
This illness is thought to be caused by a virus.
How to form it
Plain form + と言われている／とされている／と考えられている
A noun or な-adjective takes だ, often left out before とされている. Polite: と言われています.
| What it reports | |
|---|---|
| と言われている | What people say: traditions, reputations, things everyone has heard. "It is said that". |
| とされている | What is taken as settled: a rule, a classification, the accepted view. "Is considered", "counts as". |
| と考えられている | What is thought to be the explanation, usually by experts. "Is thought to". |
- The source
- No one in particular. Where it holds can come first with では: 日本では, 業界では, この制度では.
- Tone
- Detached. You aren't saying it is true, so が can follow and disagree.
- Where you'll meet it
- Articles, textbooks, guidebooks, documentaries, presentations. In conversation, when you are explaining something.
In use
In Japan it is said that if you cut your nails at night, you won't be at your parents' deathbed.
People say that skipping breakfast always makes you put on weight, but in fact it varies a great deal from person to person.
In the industry, this method is regarded as the standard.
Among researchers, falling water levels are thought to affect the number of birds.
"They say" has no "they"
English says "people say" or "they say". Here Japanese has no "they": the verb is passive, and who says it goes unsaid.
They say this town has clean water.
"They" is nobody in particular.
They say this town has clean water.
彼ら is a particular group, one you have just been talking about.
Close neighbours
そうだN4
News you were told, about one person or one day. と言われている would turn it into something everybody says.
I hear Yamada is off tomorrow.
らしいN4
In a chat, "they say" is more often らしい, or って言うよね.
They say this hot spring is good for your skin.
と考えられるN2
Without ている: the writer's own conclusion from the evidence, not a view already held.
User numbers have risen for three years running, so the trend can be expected to continue.
With に and a person, it is the plain passive: someone has told you.
The doctor has told me that I should rest for a while.
Check yourself
1"They say natto is good for you." Nobody in particular is meant. Which one?
Choose an answer to see why.
2Sato has just phoned in sick, and you tell your team. Which one fits?
佐藤さんは
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
She is said to be a leading writer of the next generation.
It is said that this castle was never captured.
Under the ordinance, this wetland is designated as a special protected area.
This material is thought to keep its shape even at high temperatures.