〜ということだ
JLPT N3:I hear / that means
Two uses: passing on what you heard ("I'm told that…"), and drawing a conclusion ("that means…").
How to form it
- Put the plain form before ということだ: 来ないということだ.
- Hearsay: 田中さんは来ないということです (I'm told Mr Tanaka isn't coming).
- Conclusion, often with つまり: つまり、賛成だということですね (so you agree, then).
- In conversation it often becomes ってこと: 来ないってこと？ (so they're not coming?).
Examples
彼は来ないということだ。
I'm told he isn't coming.
つまり、賛成だということですね。
So what you're saying is, you agree.
Notes
- As hearsay, it sounds more formal than そうだ.
Similar meaning
- 〜そうだI heard that
"I heard that"; the everyday way to report hearsay.
- 〜わけだno wonder / that means
"No wonder", "that means": a conclusion from facts.