Genki Grammar #118: Mastering Name to iu Item

Introduction

In Japanese, if you want to introduce a person or object by name—especially if you think the listener may not know it—you can use the structure NameというItem (Name to iu Item). This pattern lets you say “a (thing) called (name).” It’s a useful way to introduce something or someone unfamiliar in a simple, clear way.

What It Means

The phrase NameというItem (Name to iu Item) translates to “an item called (name)” or “a person called (name).” This structure works well when talking about specific people, animals, places, or things. You’ll see it used often to introduce names that might be unfamiliar to the listener.

When to Use It

Use NameというItem when you are:

1. Introducing someone or something by name to a person who might not know it.
2. Referring to a specific item, person, or place by name.

This pattern is commonly used to talk about pets, titles of books or songs, people, or places.

Examples

Here are some examples of NameというItem to help you understand how it works in different contexts.

1. ポチという犬を飼っていました (Pochi to iu inu o katteimashita)
   (I used to have) a dog called “Pochi.”
   • Here, ポチという犬 (Pochi to iu inu) means “a dog called Pochi.”
2. 「花」という歌を知っていますか (Hana to iu uta o shitteimasu ka)
   (Do you know) a song called “Hana”?
   • Here, 「花」という歌 (Hana to iu uta) means “a song called Hana.”
3. トトロというキャラクターが好きです (Totoro to iu kyarakutaa ga suki desu)
   I like a character called “Totoro.”
   • Here, トトロというキャラクター (Totoro to iu kyarakutaa) means “a character called Totoro.”
4. 「富士山」という山に行きました (Fuji-san to iu yama ni ikimashita)
   I went to a mountain called “Mt. Fuji.”
   • Here, 「富士山」という山 (Fuji-san to iu yama) means “a mountain called Mt. Fuji.”
5. 「源氏物語」という本を読みました (Genji Monogatari to iu hon o yomimashita)
   I read a book called “The Tale of Genji.”
   • Here, 「源氏物語」という本 (Genji Monogatari to iu hon) means “a book called The Tale of Genji.”

Notes

• To iu (という) is used as a connector between the name and the item. This connector makes it clear that the name belongs to the item you’re describing.
• Flexible Usage: This pattern can be used with almost any item—people, animals, objects, or even abstract things like songs or stories.

Conclusion

The NameというItem pattern is a simple yet powerful tool in Japanese, allowing you to introduce names in a way that is easy to understand. By using という, you can describe people, places, animals, and things by name, making it easier to talk about specific items that may be unfamiliar to the listener. 

Recommended Resources

For a deeper understanding of NameというItem, I recommend A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar. This book explains the concept under the entry -to iu, covering how to introduce names or specific terms when speaking about people, places, or things. If you want to explore this grammar point further and see more examples, this book is an excellent resource to enhance your knowledge of Japanese naming structures.