と言われている means is said to be. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.
This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does と言われている mean and when should you use it?
What does と言われている mean?
Use と言われている when you want to express is said to be in a Japanese sentence.
Natural translations include:
- is said to be
- to express “is said to be” naturally
- the closest natural English meaning in context
How to form と言われている
Phrase + と言われている
Examples of the pattern:
- Phrase + と言われている
- と言われている
- related form: そうだ
When is と言われている used?
Use と言われている in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages
Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples
と言われている example sentences
- この町は安全だと言われています。 — This town is said to be safe.
- 日本語は難しいと言われています。 — Japanese is said to be difficult.
- この寺は千年前に建てられたと言われています。 — This temple is said to have been built a thousand years ago.
- 彼は有名な先生だと言われています。 — He is said to be a famous teacher.
- この薬はよく効くと言われています。 — This medicine is said to work well.
Nuance of と言われている
The key nuance is is said to be in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.
This matters because と言われている often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.
と言われている vs そうだ
Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.
と言われている:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- focuses on is said to be
そうだ:
- is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
- may change the tone, evidence, direction, or relationship in the sentence
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: この町は安全だと言われています。 — This town is said to be safe.
- Related pattern with そうだ: compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness.
Common mistakes with と言われている
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context
- Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form
- Confusing と言われている with そうだ because the English can sound similar
Is と言われている on the JLPT?
Yes. と言われている is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for と言われている
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
- Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
- Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.
Learn と言われている with Kanjiru
If you want to review と言われている together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here: