ってCasual quotation and topic marker
って marks quoted words or introduces something as the topic in casual conversation. Depending on its job, it is roughly a conversational replacement for a quotation marker or for “as for.”
Two main jobs
First, って can mark exactly what someone said or the content of a statement or thought. Second, after a noun or phrase, it can set up the subject of the following comment, much like conversational “speaking of” or “as for.”
Marking quoted content
Place って immediately after the quoted words or clause. A following communication verb makes the quotation function clear.
Leaving out an obvious verb
今日の練習、休むって？
Did you say you're skipping practice today?
Analyzeうん、熱があるんだ。
Yeah, I have a fever.
AnalyzeThe first speaker leaves out a verb meaning “say” because the question clearly asks for confirmation of what was said.
Introducing a topic
この町って、夜は静かだね。
This town is quiet at night, isn't it?
Analyzeこの町って sets up the town as the topic of the following comment. This use is especially common in conversation.
Casual versus neutral quotation
って and と can mark the same quoted content, but the first is conversational and casual, while the second is neutral and works naturally in both speech and writing.
More examples
健はその映画を見たって言ってた。
Ken said he had seen that movie.
Analyze私は「大丈夫です」って答えた。
I answered, “I'm fine.”
Analyze何を持ってくるって言った？
What did you say you would bring?
Analyzeみんな来るって思ってた。
I thought everyone was coming.
Analyze田中さんって、料理が上手だね。
Tanaka is good at cooking, isn't he?
Analyzeこのアプリって便利ですね。
This app is convenient, isn't it?
AnalyzeA casual topic marker can occur with a polite ending in friendly conversation.