～とされる

§ What does it mean and when do people use it?

The Japanese phrase ～とされる (to sareru) is super useful for expressing things that are generally believed, said, or considered to be true, without directly stating your own opinion or the source of the information. Think of it as a way to say "it is said that..." or "it is considered to be..." in a natural Japanese way. It's a B1 level grammar point, so it's something you'll definitely encounter and want to use as you get more comfortable with Japanese.

At its core, ～とされる is built from the verb とする (to make, to consider) in its passive form, される. This passive voice is key. It shifts the focus from who is doing the considering or saying to the thing being considered or said. This is important for a few reasons:

• Distancing from personal opinion: If you say 「これは正しいです」 (Kore wa tadashii desu - This is correct), you're stating it as your personal belief. But if you say 「これは正しいとされます」 (Kore wa tadashii to saremasu - This is considered correct), you're presenting it as a generally accepted fact, not just your own.
• Reporting information: When you're reporting news, research findings, or common knowledge, you often don't want to attribute it to a specific person or yourself. ～とされる is perfect for this. It gives a sense of objectivity.
• Implying a general consensus: It suggests that a lot of people, or at least a significant group, hold this belief or consideration.

You'll often see ～とされる in formal writing, news articles, academic papers, and official reports. However, it's also used in everyday conversation when people want to share information they've heard or that is generally accepted without sounding too direct or opinionated. It's a polite and indirect way to present facts or commonly held ideas.

Meaning Breakdown

～とされる is essentially a way to express that something is generally accepted, believed, or considered to be true by others. It means "it is said/thought that" or "it is considered to be."

Let's look at some examples to get a better feel for how it's used:

Hint

Mount Fuji is considered to be the highest mountain in Japan.

Hint

This movie is considered to be the best movie of the year.

Hint

Foods that are considered good for health are increasing.

Notice how in each example, the statement is presented as a generally accepted fact, not a personal opinion. This is the power of ～とされる. It's a common way to introduce information that is widely believed or has been reported by others.

When you use ～とされる, you're essentially saying "it is widely believed/accepted/considered that X is true." You're not saying "I believe X is true" directly. This nuance is crucial for natural communication in Japanese, especially when discussing topics where objectivity is valued, or when you want to politely present information without asserting it as your own personal fact.

§ Understanding 「～とされる」

You've learned that 「～とされる」 means "it is said/thought that" or "it is considered to be." Now, let's look at how you'll actually encounter this phrase in everyday Japanese, especially in formal settings like work, school, and the news. This phrase is super common when reporting facts, opinions, or general knowledge without necessarily stating who specifically said it. It adds a layer of formality and objectivity.

§ In the News

News reports often use 「～とされる」 to present information that is widely accepted or reported, but where the source isn't a single person or direct quote. This allows the news to convey information in an objective manner.

Definition

When you want to state a fact or a piece of information that is generally believed or has been reported by multiple sources, but without attributing it to a specific individual or organization.

Translation hint: This new technology is considered to be environmentally friendly.

Translation hint: The cause of that accident is said to be excessive speed.

§ In Academic and School Settings

In academic papers, textbooks, and lectures, 「～とされる」 is used to introduce established theories, common knowledge, or widely accepted facts. It's a way to present information as objective and commonly understood within a field of study.

Definition

To present a concept, theory, or historical fact that is generally accepted or taught in an academic context.

Translation hint: This theory is considered to be the foundation of modern physics.

Translation hint: The Heian period is said to be one of the times when Japanese culture flourished the most.

§ In Business and Work

In the workplace, particularly in reports, presentations, or discussions about industry trends and best practices, 「～とされる」 is frequently used. It helps to state general consensus, established procedures, or perceived realities within a professional context.

Definition

To refer to commonly accepted practices, industry standards, or general understandings within a business or professional environment.

Translation hint: Improving customer satisfaction is considered to be the key to business success.

Translation hint: This project is considered to be very important for the company's future.

§ General Usage and Observations

Beyond these specific contexts, you'll hear 「～とされる」 in many general conversations when people are discussing things that are widely believed or understood. It's a useful phrase for talking about cultural norms, common beliefs, or historical interpretations.

• It's more formal than just saying 「～と思う」 (I think) or 「～という」 (it is said).
• It often implies that the information is from a reliable but unspecified source, or is generally accepted.
• It can be used to present a common opinion as a fact, even if there might be dissenting views, by framing it as a widely held belief.

By paying attention to these examples and contexts, you'll become much more adept at recognizing and understanding 「～とされる」 when you encounter it in real-world Japanese. Practice using it to sound more natural and precise in your own Japanese communication!

§ Understanding the Nuance of ～とされる

The Japanese phrase ～とされる (to sareru) translates to "it is said/thought that" or "it is considered to be." While it might seem straightforward, learners often make mistakes in its usage and understanding. Let's break down these common pitfalls to help you use it correctly.

§ Mistake 1: Confusing it with a simple passive voice

Many learners, especially those new to Japanese passive structures, mistakenly treat ～とされる as a simple passive form of ～とする (to suru, to make/consider). While it *is* a passive construction, its nuance goes beyond just being passively made or considered. It specifically implies a general consensus, common belief, or established understanding, often by an unspecified group of people or society at large.

For example, if you say:「この本は面白いとされる。」 (Kono hon wa omoshiroi to sareru.) you're saying, "This book is considered interesting [by many/generally]." You're not saying someone *made* it interesting in a passive sense. The focus is on the general perception.

§ Mistake 2: Overusing it for personal opinions

Since ～とされる indicates a general consensus, it's not appropriate for expressing your personal opinions or beliefs. If you want to say *you* think something, use phrases like ～と思う (to omou, I think) or ～と考える (to kangaeru, I consider).

Consider this:

• Incorrect:

  私はそれが正しいとされる。(Watashi wa sore ga tadashii to sareru.) - *Literally: "I am considered that it is correct." This sounds unnatural because you're applying a general consensus to your personal belief.*

• Correct:

  私はそれが正しいと思う。(Watashi wa sore ga tadashii to omou.) - "I think that is correct."

§ Mistake 3: Not understanding its formal or objective tone

～とされる carries a somewhat formal and objective tone. It's often used in academic writing, news reports, or when discussing generally accepted facts or theories. Using it in casual conversation where a simpler expression would suffice can sound overly stiff or even pretentious.

Here's an example of appropriate usage:

Hint:

Mount Fuji is considered to be the tallest mountain in Japan.

This is an established fact, making ～とされる a perfect fit.

§ Mistake 4: Not recognizing the implied uncertainty

While ～とされる expresses a general consensus, it can also subtly imply that the information is not necessarily a hard, undeniable fact, but rather a widely accepted view or theory. It allows for a slight degree of detachment or lack of personal endorsement from the speaker.

If you are absolutely certain of a fact, you might use a more direct statement. If there's any room for debate or if you're quoting a general understanding, ～とされる is ideal.

Hint:

The cause of this illness is often considered to be stress.

Here, "often considered" highlights the implied uncertainty or common belief, rather than a definitive medical fact.