彼かれはいわゆる「伝説でんせつの殺ころし屋や」と呼よばれている。
He’s referred to as the so-called “legendary hitman.”

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Read the explanation below to understand the nuance of how this grammar structure is used.

The Lowdown: What is いわゆる?

いわゆる is a pre-noun adjectival (it modifies nouns) that basically means “what is called,” “so-called,” or “as the saying goes.” It’s used when you’re introducing a term, a nickname, or a concept that’s common knowledge in a specific circle or society.

In the hood, you use it when you’re about to drop some slang or a title that everyone recognizes. If you’re talkin’ about a “snitch,” you might say “He’s an いわゆる ‘rat’.” It adds a bit of distance or highlights that this is the label the world has put on something. Use it when you wanna sound like you know the “official” street name for something.

The Metaphor: Think of いわゆる like a gold grill. It’s the flashy frame you put around a word to make it stand out and say, “Yeah, this is the name everyone knows it by.” It’s the “Stage Name” for a regular-ass noun.

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Listen up, ’cause this shit is simple. いわゆる is a “ren-taishi” (pre-noun adjectival), so it just sits right in front of the noun like a bodyguard in front of a VIP. No fancy changes needed.

Part of Speech	Pattern	Example	Translation
Noun	いわゆる + Noun	いわゆる「ドン」	The so-called “Don”

Since it’s a pre-noun adjectival, you don’t conjugate it. You just slap it before the noun you’re trying to highlight. Whether you’re talking about a “hitman” or a “laundered check,” the form stays the same. It’s consistent, just like a loyal soldier in your crew.

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Read and master the example sentences below.

これがいわゆる「上納じょうのう金きん」ってやつか。
So this is what they call “protection money”)”, huh?

彼かれはいわゆる「二に重じゅうスパイ」だった。
He was a so-called “double agent.”

彼かれはいわゆる「成金なりきん」で、趣味しゅみが悪わるい。
He’s a so-called “nouveau riche” (new money), and he’s got trash taste.

彼女かのじょはいわゆる「ファム・ファタール」だな。
She’s a so-called “femme fatale,” for real.

このビジネスはいわゆる「グレーゾーン」だ。
This business is in the so-called “gray zone.”

はいわゆる「エリート」だが、中身なかみはクズだ。
He’s a so-called “elite,” but he’s trash on the inside.

いわゆる「運はこび屋や」として国境こっきょうを越こえた。
He crossed the border as a so-called “mule”.

あの事務所じむしょはいわゆる「フロント企業きぎょう」に過すぎない。
That office is nothing more than a so-called “front company.”

ついにいわゆる「シャバ」の空気くうきを吸すえるぜ。
Finally, I can breathe the air of the so-called “outside world” (post-prison).

これはいわゆる「口止くちどめ料りょう」だ。受うけ取とっておけ。
This is the so-called “hush money.” Just take it.

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Stay dangerous.