It is said that...; I heard that...; It indicates...; It means...
The expressions "〜ということだ" and "〜とのことだ" are used in Japanese to convey what someone else has said or to communicate specific information. These two structures have similar meanings and are often used to summarize a conclusion or piece of information.
These expressions are commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese to help the speaker relay what others have said or to explain the state of affairs.
Grammar Structure:
Explanation: This structure indicates the explanation or conclusion of something and is typically used to convey messages or describe situations.
Connection: These structures usually appear in narratives, introducing what someone else has said or providing explanations about situations.
Translation: They can be translated as “It is said that...,” “I heard that...,” or “It indicates...”.
彼は明日来るということだ。
I heard that he will come tomorrow.
この商品は人気があるとのことだ。
It is said that this product is popular.
彼女は新しいプロジェクトに参加するということだ。
She indicated that she will participate in the new project.
先生が言ったとのことだ。
I heard that the teacher said this.
会議は午後2時からとのことです。
It is said that the meeting will start at 2 PM.
Context: Both "〜ということだ" and "〜とのことだ" can be used in various contexts, including informal and formal situations.
Tone: These expressions generally carry a neutral tone, suitable for use in everyday conversation and formal statements.
"〜ということだ" and "〜とのことだ" are important expressions used for reporting and conveying information, helping speakers effectively communicate what others have said or to explain situations. They are common in both spoken and written language and are suitable for various communication scenarios.