expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
so-called; what is called; what they call
Fixed prenominal expression used to introduce a term or name that is commonly known or referred to in a certain way. Often used in explanatory or descriptive contexts.
This is the spirit of what is called 'ichigo ichie'.
He is a so-called natural-born researcher.
Standard kanji spelling for this fixed expression.
Kana-mixed spelling; less common but still encountered.
From 世 (yo, 'world, society') + に (ni, particle) + 言う (iu, 'to say'), literally 'what the world says'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used as a fixed expression since classical Japanese.