いわゆる

いわゆる
pre-noun adjectival
so-called, what is called
archaicgrammatical
1. so-called, what is called
Used to introduce a term or label commonly used for something.
これがいわゆる「日本的(にほんてき)」な考(かんが)え方(かた)だ。
This is what they call the 'Japanese' way of thinking.
いわゆる専門家(せんもんか)の意見(いけん)。
The opinion of so-called experts.
いわゆる「ゆとり世代(せだい)」だ。
They're from what's called the 'relaxed education generation'.
2. what people call
Indicating a commonly used name or description.
これがいわゆる「日本的(にほんてき)」な考(かんが)え方(かた)だ。
This is what they call the 'Japanese' way of thinking.
いわゆる専門家(せんもんか)の意見(いけん)。
The opinion of so-called experts.
いわゆる「ゆとり世代(せだい)」だ。
They're from what's called the 'relaxed education generation'.

いわゆる is a pre-noun adjective (連体詞(れんたいし)) meaning "so-called."

Usage

  • Always followed by a noun
  • Often used with quotation marks around the following term
  • Can imply distance from the term ("what others call")
  • Can be slightly skeptical or ironic

Etymology

Writing

  • Usually hiragana
  • Can be written 所謂(いわゆる) (rare)

Related Words

Compare: 言(い)わば (so to speak, as it were)
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
01500/01840_iwayuru