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Join the number readings to form “よろしく”, then use this pattern to sum up the explanation.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N2 · Intermediate 3

〜というわけだ~to iu wake da

that explains why

Use 「〜というわけだ」 to draw a conclusion or show you understand why something follows from the explanation.

How it works

  1. Join the number readings to form “よろしく”, then use this pattern to sum up the explanation.

    Join the number readings to form “よろしく”, then use this pattern to sum up the explanation.

  2. First learn that numbers have several readings, then naturally conclude that this makes sound-based wordplay easy.

    First learn that numbers have several readings, then naturally conclude that this makes sound-based wordplay easy.

  3. In the conversation, “わけだね” shows understanding after learning how different number readings form words.

    In the conversation, “わけだね” shows understanding after learning how different number readings form words.

  4. In the example, the reason comes before “から”; “わけだ” afterward expresses “Ah, that explains it.”

    In the example, the reason comes before “から”; “わけだ” afterward expresses “Ah, that explains it.”

  5. Here, the multiple readings explain why sound-based wordplay is easy to create; it is more than just a feeling that it is easy.

    Here, the multiple readings explain why sound-based wordplay is easy to create; it is more than just a feeling that it is easy.

Example sentences

  • 「4」よんyonは「わwaよ」、「よ、yo、6」ろくrokuは「わwaろ」、「ろ、ro、4」よんyonは「わwaし」、「し、shi、9」きゅうkyuuは「わwaく」くkuとto読める。よめる。yomeru。だdaから「からkara4649」よんせんろっぴゃくよんじゅうきゅうyonsenroppyakuyonjuukyuuで「でdeよろしく」よろしくyoroshikuとtoいうiuわけwakeです。desu。

    "4" can be read as "yo," "6" as "ro," "4" as "shi," and "9" as "ku." That's why "4649" means "yoroshiku" (best regards).

  • 日本にほんnihon語ごgoでdeは、わ、wa、一つひとつhitotsuのno漢字かんじkanjiやya数字すうじsuujiにni複数ふくすうfukusuuのno

In a conversation

  • A
    「5963」ごせんきゅうひゃくろくじゅうさんで「でご苦労さん」ごくろうさんって読むよむって知ってた？しってた

    A: Did you know that "5963" is read as "gokurousan" (thank you for your hard work)?

  • B
    数字すうじを読みよみ替えかえて言葉ことばに当てあてはめるから、語呂合わせごろあわせになるわけだね。

    B: Since you change the readings of the numbers and apply them to words, that's how it becomes a wordplay.

  • A
    そうそう。音おとの響きひびきを利用りようしているというわけだよ。

    A: Exactly. That means it uses the sound of the pronunciation.

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    In Japanese, a single kanji or number can have multiple readings, which makes it easier to create mnemonic wordplay.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    日本語では、一つの漢字や数字に複数の読み方があるから、語呂合わせが作りやすい____。

    In Japanese, a single kanji or number can have multiple readings, so mnemonics are easy to make.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜がたいsubjectively hard to do
  • 〜のようにlike; in the manner of
  • 〜とともにalong with; as … changes
  • 〜をもとに（して）・〜をもとにしたbased on; using as a basis
  • 〜でしょう？seeking agreement
  • 〜っけrecalling and checking
  • 〜というわけだthat explains why
  • 〜っこないabsolutely impossible
  • 〜もん・〜んだもんemotional reason or plea
  • 〜ほど・〜くらい・〜ぐらいdegree shown by an example
  • 〜ところだったsomething almost happened
  • 〜てたまらないoverwhelmingly intense feeling
  • 〜というわけではないthat does not mean
  • 〜くらい・〜ぐらいdegree shown by a situation
Previous〜っけNext〜っこない

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
See the whole course
Intermediate 3
Richness and Beauty of Japanese Expression
読み方よみかたyomikata
がga
あるaru
から、kara、
語呂ごろgoro
合わせあわせawase
がga
作りやすいつくりやすいtsukuriyasui
わけwake
だ。da。

In Japanese, a single kanji or number has multiple readings, which is why it is easy to create wordplay.