At a glance
[Name] という [Noun] means "a [noun] called [name]". It is used to name a person, place or thing that the listener may not know.
[Name] + という + [Noun]
田中さんという人が来ました。 Someone called Tanaka came.
How to form it
Put the name first, then という, then a general noun such as 人, 店, 本 or 食べ物.
| Attaches to | Example | Meaning | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Person's name | 山田さんという人 | a person called Yamada | Neutral |
| Place name | 金閣寺というお寺 | a temple called Kinkakuji | Neutral |
| Title | 「さくら」という歌 | a song called "Sakura" | Neutral |
| Casual form | 「はな」っていう店 | a shop called "Hana" | Casual |
The politeness of the sentence comes from the end (です/ます or plain form), not from という.