〜ということだ

〜ということだ expresses it means that / I heard — reporting information heard from others or describing appearances. Japanese carefully distinguishes between firsthand observation, inference, and secondhand information, and using the right pattern signals to the listener how you obtained the information.

This is an upper-intermediate pattern common in natural conversation and media like news, novels, and dramas.

When to Use#

• When relaying information you received indirectly
• When explaining the meaning or implication of a situation

When NOT to Use#

• When a different nuance than "it means that / I heard" is intended — check the related patterns below

Example Sentences#

• 新聞によると、物価が上がっているということです。 — According to the newspaper, prices are rising.
• 発表によると、イベントが延期されたということです。 — According to the announcement, the event has been postponed.
• ラジオによると、交通が渋滞しているということです。 — According to the radio, traffic is congested.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Using 〜ということだ interchangeably with 〜によると — These patterns are similar but not identical. 〜によると (according to ~) may be preferred in different contexts or registers.
2. Direct translation from English — The concept expressed by 〜ということだ may not map one-to-one with its English translation. Focus on understanding the Japanese usage through example sentences rather than relying on the English gloss.

Related Patterns#

• 〜によると (according to ~) — Similar
• 〜そうだ (looks like / seems) — Next step