というthe news that…; the idea that…
A whole sentence, then という, then a noun: the sentence is what the story, the news or the idea says, and English uses "that". After a name, という does another job: "called".
something heard
Is the story true that a new station will be built?
something thought
Many people expressed the opinion that the system was unfair.
How to form it
Plain-form sentence + という + noun
The noun names something said, written or thought: 話 (a story), うわさ (a rumor), 知らせ (news), 連絡 (a message), 意見 (an opinion). A noun or a な-adjective usually keeps its だ: 必要だという案内.
In conversation
Sentence + っていう／って + noun
Which という?
After a name: "called".
There is a cafe called Aozora in front of the station.
Picks up a word and says what it brings to mind.
When it comes to spring, I think of the cherry trees along the river.
What the news, the notice, the story says
Word came that the meeting had been postponed.
There is a notice at the entrance saying that reservations are required.
Did you hear that Tanaka is leaving the company?
With friends. English often drops the noun: "did you hear that…".
What you will hear and say most: 〜という話を聞きました (I heard that…), 〜といううわさがあります (there is a rumor that…), 〜というニュースを見ました (I saw on the news that…).
という, or nothing?
English uses one "that" for "the letter that she wrote" and "the news that she is ill". In Japanese, a sentence that only says which one goes straight in front of the noun.
The letter that my mother wrote has arrived.
Which letter: the one she wrote.
A letter arrived saying that my mother had gone into the hospital.
What the letter says.
When the sentence is what a story, a message or an opinion says, という is always right, and the phrase often sounds wrong without it.
ということ: the fact that
The noun can be こと itself.
I only learned today that he is leaving the company.
Before こと, という can usually be left out: 辞めることを知った says the same.
Close neighbours
ということだN3
At the end of a sentence, it passes on what you were told: "I hear that…".
I hear that Yamamoto is getting married next month.
とのN1
A short written という, for notices, reports and business email.
A notice arrived saying that the charges would be revised from next month.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
先生から、
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which sentence tells you what the email says?
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
約束, 経験 and 可能性 often go without という too: 会う約束, a promise to meet. A sound or a smell isn't in words, so a sentence goes straight on: 魚を焼くにおい, the smell of fish grilling.
Before an ordinary noun, a sentence with という adds "they say": 行きたいという人, people who say they want to go.
This is the town where my grandfather is said to have been born.
More sentences
I got word that the cafe would close next month.
The information that he is the new person in charge has not yet been confirmed.
There is a report that this medicine may cause drowsiness.
We cannot ignore the fact that there isn't enough in the budget.