～とされる

The expression ～とされる (to sareru) is a sophisticated Japanese grammatical structure used to indicate that something is widely considered, regarded, or officially recognized as a certain way. It is the passive form of the verb とする (to consider/regard as). In essence, it shifts the focus from a specific person's opinion to a general consensus or an objective fact established by society, science, or law. When you use this phrase, you are stepping away from subjective 'I think' (と思う) and moving toward an authoritative 'It is established that.' This nuance is crucial for academic writing, journalism, and formal business communication where objectivity is paramount.

Grammatical Essence

It functions as a marker of objective classification. It suggests that the statement is not just a rumor, but a definition or a status accepted by a relevant authority or the general public.

Historically, this structure evolved from the classical Japanese usage of 'to su' (to make/do as), which carried a sense of intentionality. In modern Japanese, the passive 'sareru' removes that intentionality, making the statement sound like an inherent truth or a settled matter. For example, saying 'This bird is considered a protected species' uses ～とされる because it's not just one person's opinion; it's a legal or scientific status. It provides a layer of professional distance, which is why you will rarely hear it in casual conversation between friends but will see it constantly in newspapers like the Asahi Shimbun or in NHK news broadcasts.

The breadth of ～とされる covers everything from historical facts to scientific definitions. It is often used to describe the 'ideal' or 'standard' state of things. For instance, in a job description, certain qualifications might be ～とされる (regarded as necessary). This doesn't mean they are strictly mandatory in every single case, but they are the established standard. This flexibility allows the speaker to convey authority without being overly dogmatic. It creates a space where the information is presented as 'the current understanding' or 'the prevailing view.'

Objective vs. Subjective

Unlike '～と思う' (I think), '～とされる' implies that the speaker is reporting a consensus. It is more formal than '～と言われている' (It is said that), which can sometimes refer to mere rumors.

Furthermore, ～とされる is frequently paired with specific adverbs like 一般に (generally) or 正式に (officially) to further clarify the scope of the consensus. In legal documents, it defines the status of individuals or entities. In literature, it might be used to describe a character's reputation. The power of this phrase lies in its ability to transform a simple observation into a formal declaration. It is one of the most important tools for moving from intermediate (B1) to advanced (C1) Japanese proficiency, as it allows for the expression of complex societal and scientific concepts with the appropriate level of gravitas.

In summary, ～とされる is the 'passive of consideration.' It bridges the gap between raw data and social reality. By using it, you signal to your listener or reader that you are presenting information that has been vetted, categorized, or accepted by a broader community. Whether you are discussing the origins of a word, the safety of a new technology, or the cultural significance of a festival, this grammar point provides the necessary framework for objective reporting. It is the language of the expert, the journalist, and the scholar.

Mastering the usage of ～とされる requires understanding its grammatical connectivity and its stylistic placement. It can follow nouns, verbs, and adjectives, but the connecting rules vary slightly. For nouns and 'na-adjectives,' the copula 'da' is usually omitted, though it can appear in very formal or emphatic contexts as ～だとされる. For 'i-adjectives' and verbs, it follows the plain form (dictionary form, past form, or negative form). This versatility makes it a highly adaptable tool for various sentence structures.

Grammar Patterns

• Noun + とされる (e.g., 宝とされる)
• Verb (Plain) + とされる (e.g., 成功したとされる)
• i-Adj + とされる (e.g., 難しいとされる)
• na-Adj + (だ)とされる (e.g., 有利とされる)

When using ～とされる with verbs, it often describes an action that is 'believed to have happened' or is 'expected to happen' based on current evidence. For example, 犯人は海外へ逃亡したとされる (The culprit is believed to have fled abroad). Here, the speaker isn't stating it as an absolute eyewitness fact, but as the conclusion reached by investigators. This 'distancing' effect is vital in reporting. If you use the past tense ～とされた, it implies that something was considered a certain way in the past, but perhaps that view has changed or is being discussed in a historical context.

One of the most common mistakes is overusing ～とされる in casual speech. Because it carries such a formal weight, using it while chatting with friends about a movie can sound unnaturally stiff. Instead, you would use ～って言われてる or ～みたいだよ. Save ～とされる for presentations, essays, or when you are explaining a complex topic to a superior. It is also important to note that the subject of the sentence is often marked with は (wa) to establish the topic being 'considered.'

Tense Variations

Present: ～とされる (is considered). Past: ～とされた (was considered). Negative: ～とはされていない (is not considered to be - note the 'wa' for emphasis).

In academic contexts, you might see the variation ～と見なされる (to be regarded as). While similar, ～とされる is broader and more common. ～と見なされる often implies a judgment or a specific classification (e.g., 'This act is regarded as a crime'). ～とされる is more about general recognition. When you want to express that something is 'supposed' to be a certain way, ～とされる is your best choice. It sets the stage for the 'standard' against which other things are measured.

Finally, pay attention to the particles. While と is mandatory, the preceding word can sometimes be a whole clause. For example, 健康に良いとされる食品 (Foods considered to be good for health). Here, the entire phrase 'good for health' is what is being 'considered.' This allows for the creation of complex, descriptive noun phrases that are common in technical manuals and health brochures. Practice by taking a simple fact and 'formalizing' it using this structure.

The phrase ～とされる is a staple of formal Japanese media and professional environments. If you turn on the NHK news at 7 PM, you will likely hear it within the first five minutes. It is the preferred way for news anchors to report on ongoing investigations, scientific breakthroughs, or government policies. By using ～とされる, the broadcaster maintains a neutral, objective stance, avoiding the appearance of taking sides or presenting unverified information as absolute fact. It signals that they are reporting the 'current consensus' or 'official line.'

Media Contexts

News reports on crime (suspect's location), weather (expected impact), and politics (purpose of a new law).

In the world of academia, ～とされる is indispensable. Researchers use it to refer to established theories or previous findings. Instead of saying 'Everyone knows that...', a scholar will write 'It is considered that...' (～とされる). This adds a layer of intellectual humility and precision. You will find it in textbooks, research papers, and during academic conferences. It allows researchers to build upon a foundation of 'accepted knowledge' before introducing their own new theories or data. If you are preparing for the JLPT N2 or N1, or planning to study at a Japanese university, you must become comfortable with reading and hearing this phrase in dense, informative texts.

Business settings also frequently employ ～とされる. It appears in company manuals, contracts, and formal reports. For instance, a company policy might state that 'Employees are considered to have agreed to these terms upon signing.' Or, in a market analysis report, a certain trend might be ～とされる (regarded as a growth opportunity). In these cases, the phrase provides a formal framework for expectations and interpretations. It helps avoid direct confrontation by framing requirements as 'established standards' rather than personal demands from a manager.

Legal and Official Use

Found in laws, regulations, and official government white papers (Hakusho) to define categories and standards.

You will also encounter ～とされる in documentaries and museum exhibits. When describing historical artifacts or natural phenomena where there might be some debate but a generally accepted view exists, curators will use this phrase. 'This sword is considered to have belonged to...' or 'This species is considered extinct in the wild.' It provides the necessary nuance for topics that are not 100% certain but are backed by significant evidence. Even in high-end travel guides, you might see it used to describe the 'best time to visit' or the 'most famous dish' of a region, elevating the recommendation from a mere tip to an established fact.

In summary, ～とされる is the voice of authority and consensus in Japan. It is the sound of the news, the text of the law, and the language of the expert. While you might not use it to order coffee, you will need it to understand the world around you in Japan—from the news on your phone to the signs in a museum. It is a key marker of 'adult' Japanese (Otona no Nihongo).

While ～とされる is a powerful tool, it is often misused by learners who confuse it with other similar-sounding or similar-meaning expressions. The most frequent error is using it in contexts that are too personal or casual. For example, saying 明日は雨とされる (It is considered that it will rain tomorrow) sounds like a scientific prediction or a formal meteorological report. If you just saw the forecast on your phone, you should say 明日、雨だって or 雨が降るらしい. Using ～とされる for everyday observations makes you sound like a robot or a very stiff textbook.

Mistake 1: Casual Overuse

Using it for personal opinions or trivial daily facts. Correct: 'I think...' (と思う). Incorrect: 'I am considered to think...' (とされる).

Another common pitfall is confusing ～とされる with ～と言われている (It is said that). While they overlap, ～と言われている is much closer to 'hearsay' or 'rumor.' If you say 彼は天才だと言われている, it means people say he's a genius (reputation). If you say 彼は天才とされる, it sounds like he has been officially designated or categorized as a genius by some authority. Learners often use ～とされる when they really just mean 'people say,' which can make their statements sound more 'official' than they actually are.

Grammatically, learners sometimes forget how to connect it to 'na-adjectives.' They might say 有名とされる (correct) but then get confused and add an unnecessary 'na' like 有名なとされる (incorrect). Remember that ～とされる directly follows the noun or the stem-like form of the na-adjective. Also, watch out for the particle と. It cannot be replaced by に or を in this specific structure. The と functions as a quotative particle, marking the content of the consideration.

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'to omowareru'

'To omowareru' (It seems/It is thought) is more about a subjective impression or a guess based on appearance. 'To sareru' is about an established status or definition.

Finally, be careful with the passive meaning. Some learners think ～とされる means 'to be made to do something' because they see saseru (causative) or other passive forms. But ～とされる is a set expression. It's not about being forced; it's about being 'regarded.' If you want to say 'I was made to do homework,' that's させられた, not とされた. Keeping these distinctions clear will help you use this high-level grammar with the precision of a native speaker.

In summary: 1. Don't use it for personal stuff. 2. Don't confuse it with 'hearsay.' 3. Watch your 'na-adjective' connections. 4. Don't mistake it for the causative-passive. If you stick to using it for facts, definitions, and official statuses, you'll be fine.

Japanese has several expressions that translate to 'it is said' or 'it is thought,' and choosing the right one is key to sounding natural. ～とされる sits at the more formal, objective end of the spectrum. Let's compare it with its closest relatives to see where the boundaries lie. Understanding these nuances will help you move from simply 'being understood' to 'expressing yourself precisely.'

～と言われている (to iwarete iru)

This is the most common way to say 'it is said.' It covers everything from general rumors to widely known facts. It is less formal than 'とされる' and focuses on the act of 'speaking' or 'rumor-spreading.' Use this for reputations or common beliefs.

Next, we have ～と考えられている (to kangaerarete iru). This translates to 'it is thought that' or 'it is believed that.' It is very common in science and logic. While ～とされる implies a settled status or definition, ～と考えられている suggests an ongoing process of reasoning or a hypothesis that is currently favored by experts. If a scientist is 90% sure about a theory, they use ～と考えられている. If it's a textbook definition, they use ～とされる.

Then there is ～と見なされる (to minasareru). This means 'to be regarded as' or 'to be treated as.' It often carries a sense of judgment or a specific legal/social consequence. For example, 'If you don't reply, it will be regarded as a refusal.' This is more active and decisive than ～とされる. While ～とされる describes a state of being, ～と見なされる describes the result of an evaluation.

～と伝えられている (to tsutaerarete iru)

This means 'it is reported that' or 'it has been handed down that.' It is often used for historical legends or news reports coming from a distance. It emphasizes the transmission of information over time or space.

Finally, consider ～と推測される (to suisoku sareru), which means 'it is conjectured/inferred that.' This is used when there is a lack of direct evidence, and the conclusion is based on logical deduction. It is even more tentative than ～と考えられている. In a crime report, if the police have no proof but a strong hunch, they might use this. But once the evidence is solid enough for a formal charge, the suspect's status might be ～とされる.

In conclusion, while all these phrases deal with 'what people think or say,' ～とされる is your go-to for established facts, official definitions, and professional consensus. It is the most 'solid' of the group. By choosing ～とされる, you are telling your audience that the information is not just a guess or a rumor, but a recognized reality in the context you are discussing.