Meaning
The noun before and after 「という」 is the same noun. By repeating the noun in the pattern 「NというN」, the speaker emphasizes totality — meaning "every single," "all," or "each and every." This is different from the N3-level grammar 「N1というN2」 used to explain concepts or definitions.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| Noun | Noun + という + Noun |
Examples
-
新聞をこの地域の家という家に配って歩いた。
I walked around delivering newspapers to every single house in this area. -
恋人も家族も失った彼は、過去という過去をすべて忘れてしまいたい心境だった。
Having lost both his lover and family, he was in a state of mind where he wanted to forget every last bit of the past. -
大地震で、建物という建物がすべて損壊してしまった。
Due to the great earthquake, every single building was damaged. -
娘は、病気になった母親の治療のために、病院という病院を回った。
The daughter visited every hospital she could find in order to get treatment for her sick mother.
Summary
- 「〜という…」 means "every single; all" — emphasizes totality
- Attaches to Nouns (same noun repeated before and after という)