Practice JLPTHow to tell them apart
いわゆる modifies a noun to label something by its widely recognized name, as in いわゆる「バブル経済」, pointing to an established term. 言わば is an adverb offering a figurative comparison, as in 言わばウォーミングアップ, where the speaker chooses a metaphor rather than citing a common label. Swapping them fails because いわゆる cannot introduce a metaphor and 言わば cannot directly modify a noun phrase.
- いわゆる Use いわゆる when attaching a widely recognized label to a noun.
- 言わば Use 言わば when offering a figurative comparison or metaphor for a situation.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| いわゆる iwayuru | So-called; what one might call | N2 |
| 言わば waba | So to speak; as it were; sort of | N2 |
いわゆる iwayuru
So-called; what one might call
So-called; what we call; known as | A noun modifier that means “known generally by this term”.
-
1986年から９０年代初めにかけてのいわゆる「バブル経済」の時代には土地や株が高騰した。
During the so-called "bubble economy,” from 1986 through the early 90's, land and stocks prices soared.
-
21世紀には多くの国でいわゆる安楽死が合法化されていくだろう。
In the 21st century what is called euthanasia will be legalized in many countries.
言わば waba
So to speak; as it were; sort of
So to speak; as it were; like; sort of | An adverb that means “if I were to say it some way (or a different way)”.
-
こうして見てみると、かつてはサダム・フセインも、ソ連やイランと戦ってきた、言わばアメリカの盟友だったわけである。
When we view it this way, the fact is that Saddam Hussein, who fought against Soviet Russia and Iran, used to be America's bosom buddy, so to speak.
-
ここまでは、言わばウォーミングアップのようなもので、ここからが本番だ。
This has been sort of a warm-up, and starting now, the real business begins.
いわゆる and 言わば are both JLPT N2 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side — meanings, usage and example sentences — so you can tell them apart.