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Gogaku

All N4 grammar

N4

〜という意味

It means…machine translation

FormationWord/sentence + という意味です

To explain the meaning of a word, a kanji, or a sign, you use 〜という意味です: 「禁煙」はたばこを吸ってはいけないという意味です. The part before という is the content of the explanation, in plain form — the prohibition pattern 〜てはいけない in the example is grammar you learned at N5.

The question that pairs with it is どういう意味ですか (what does it mean?): この漢字はどういう意味ですか. This is a lifesaver in the classroom and when reading signs in Japan — use it a lot.

In casual conversation, people ask with って: 「いただきます」って、どういう意味? — see the lesson on 〜って.

Examples

Related patterns

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