At a glance
Noun + というもの presents a noun as a whole kind or concept: "~ as such", "any ~ of that kind". It is used for general comments about what something is really like.
Noun + というもの + は / を / が / の
人生というものは不思議なものだ。 Life is a mysterious thing.
How to form it
というもの attaches directly to a noun. The particle after it depends on the sentence:
| Pattern | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Noun + というものは | 時間というものは大切だ。 | Time (as such) is important. |
| Noun + というものを / が | 彼には常識というものがない。 | He has no common sense at all. |
| Noun + というものの | 友情というものの大切さ | the importance of friendship itself |
Register: fairly formal and reflective. It is common in writing and speeches, and also appears in serious conversation.