って

quoting or reporting speech

The particle 'って' is used to quote what someone has said or to refer to a topic, often implying hearsay or casual speech.

N3

Meaning

quoting or reporting speech

The particle 'って' is used to quote what someone has said or to refer to a topic, often implying hearsay or casual speech.

Formation

Spoken Only
Noun + って
Phrase + って

Explanation

The particle って is an informal way to cite or quote something that someone has said. It serves as a colloquial version of the more formal と言う(いう) (to say). This grammar point can be used in various situations, such as reporting conversations or sharing thoughts.

One important nuance is that って can also express your personal opinion subtly when referring to a topic without taking full responsibility, similar to saying, "They say that..." in English.

  • It's commonly used in casual conversations among friends.
  • It brings an informal tone to the speech, so it's less common in formal settings or writing.