How 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 | what people call something; commonly known as | N2 |
| 言わば waba | In a manner of speaking; figuratively; kind of | N2 |
いわゆる iwayuru
what people call something; commonly known as
いわゆる means so-called or what is commonly called, and it introduces a noun phrase as a widely recognized label or category like 才女 or 国際人. It is placed directly before a noun phrase, as in いわゆる文化人, with no particle between them. It is formal and common in writing, so it does not fit casual speech endings like よ, and it should modify an established name rather than a generic word or a newly defined term.
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彼女はいわゆる才女である。
She is what we call a talented woman.
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そのジャーナリストはいわゆる国際人だ。
The journalist is what you call a cosmopolitan.
言わば waba
In a manner of speaking; figuratively; kind of
いわば means so to speak or figuratively and signals that what follows is a metaphorical restatement rather than a literal description. It is an independent adverb that is placed before a noun phrase such as 本の虫 or 家族の一員. It is common in formal explanation and is normally written in hiragana. It should not be used to introduce a literal fact or a direct quotation.
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私の父はいわば学者ばかだ。
My father is, so to speak, a learned fool.
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彼は、いわば、本の虫だ。
He is, so to speak, a bookworm.
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 on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.