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Reporting secondhand information and hearsay at various formality levels
What each pattern means, when to use it, and the mistakes that cost marks in the exam.
Combines the explanatory 'ん' with hearsay 'だって'. It sounds more conversational and often implies that the information is surprising or interesting.
Common mistakes
Used to convey information heard from a source (hearsay) or to rephrase/summarize a situation. In hearsay, it is often paired with sources like '〜によると' or '〜では'.
Common mistakes
Used to express general beliefs, reputations, or common knowledge held by the public rather than information from a specific individual source.
Common mistakes
A more formal and polite version of '〜ということだ'. It is frequently used in business communication, news reporting, or formal letters to report information from a third party.
Common mistakes
Used for rumors or information the speaker is not 100% sure about. It translates to 'I heard something like...' or 'someone said...'. Often used in casual speech.
Common mistakes
Extremely common in casual speech. It can replace 'と' (quotation), 'と言っている' (hearsay), or 'は' (topic marker). As hearsay, it often ends a sentence.
Common mistakes
Adaptive practice
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