~というのは (〜to iu no wa)
Explanation
Used to provide an explanation or definition; 'that is to say...', 'by that, I mean...'.
Formation
Phrase/sentence + というのは + explanation/definition
Detailed Explanation
The ~というのは grammar point is used to provide an explanation or definition of the preceding statement or word. It can be translated as 'that is to say...', 'by that, I mean...', or 'what I mean by...'.
Examples
日本に行くというのは、日本に旅行することです。
Nihon ni iku to iu no wa, Nihon ni ryokou suru koto desu.
Going to Japan, that is to say, traveling to Japan.
この問題は難しいというのは、解決に時間がかかるということです。
Kono mondai wa muzukashii to iu no wa, kaiketsu ni jikan ga kakaru to iu koto desu.
When I say this problem is difficult, I mean it takes time to solve.
彼が怒っているというのは、彼が不満を感じているということです。
Kare ga okotteiru to iu no wa, kare ga fuman wo kanjiteiru to iu koto desu.
By saying that he's angry, I mean he's feeling dissatisfied.
太るというのは、体重が増えるということです。
Futoru to iu no wa, taijuu ga fueru to iu koto desu.
Gaining weight, that is to say, increasing one's body weight.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.