Using という and っていう

1. Vocabulary List

2. Grammar & Sentences

という — "called / named"

Used when introducing a name that the listener may not be familiar with.

• Structure: [Name] + という + [Noun]
• Example: さくらという銀（ぎん）行 — "a bank called Sakura"
• Example: さくらという銀（ぎん）行に行きます。(Sakura to iu ginkō ni ikimasu.) — "I will go to a bank called Sakura."
• Example: パン屋はローソンというコンビニのとなりです。(Pan'ya wa Rōson to iu konbini no tonari desu.) — "The bakery is next to a convenience store called Lawson."
• Example: この本は、なつめそうせきという人が書いた。(Kono hon wa, Natsume Sōseki to iu hito ga kaita.) — "This book was written by someone called Natsume Soseki."

っていう — Casual form of という

In casual speech, という contracts to っていう.

• Example: うちにはポチっていう犬がいる。(Uchi ni wa Pochi tte iu inu ga iru.) — "We have a dog called Pochi in our house."
• Example: ワンピースっていうまんがが好き。(Wanpīsu tte iu manga ga suki.) — "I like a manga called One Piece."
• Example: Busuuっていうアプリで日本語を勉強してるよ。(Busuu tte iu apuri de nihongo wo benkyō shiteru yo.) — "I am studying Japanese with an app called Busuu."
• Example: まつりっていうレストランで日本料理を食べた。(Matsuri tte iu resutoran de nihon ryōri wo tabeta.) — "We ate Japanese food in a restaurant called Matsuri."
• Example: この本は、なつめそうせきっていう人が書いた。(Kono hon wa, Natsume Sōseki tte iu hito ga kaita.) — "This book was written by someone called Natsume Soseki."

When to use という vs さくら銀行

Real example: The female speaker used っていう when talking about なっとう because she assumed the male speaker was unfamiliar with it and needed the label explained.

という with fees and labels

という can also be used to label or define something:

• 週末は手すう料というお金をはらいます。(Shūmatsu wa tesūryō to iu okane wo haraimasu.) — "We pay a fee called commission on weekends."

3. Culture Note: Bank Hours in Japan

In Japan, banks are usually open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.

• ATMs can be used at any time.
• However, using an ATM outside opening hours results in a higher 手数（すう）料 (commission fee).
• Tip: Use ATMs during business hours to avoid extra charges.

4. Sentence Drill

5. Learning Context

• Topic: という and っていう — naming and labelling things unfamiliar to the listener
• Culture Note: Bank ATMs in Japan have higher fees outside 9am–3pm business hours.
• Grammar Focus: という (formal) vs っていう (casual) for introducing names; contrast with bare noun (familiar vs unfamiliar to listener)

6. Progress Tracker