と考えられている
Is considered, Is thought of as
Structure
Phrase + と思われている
Explanation
When quoting a thought or belief, the quotation particleと frequently appears with verbs in their passive form. The most common examples of this are 考えられている, meaning 'is considered to be', and 思われている, meaning 'is thought to be'.
This pattern follows a complete phrase and conveys the meaning 'it is thought that (A)' or 'it is considered that (A)'. It is typically used to state a widely accepted idea or a common public perception, rather than the speaker's private opinion.
- ハチ公の銅像は世界で最も有名な犬の像だと考えられている。The Hachiko statue is considered to be the most famous statue of a dog in the world.
- 猫には命が九つあると思われている。It is thought that cats have nine lives.
The main function of using the passive form in these expressions is to distance the speaker from the opinion being stated. This emphasizes that the belief is a general one, not necessarily the speaker's own.
Despite this, this grammar is sometimes used strategically to add weight to one's own argument. This is similar to saying 'it is a well-known fact that (A)' in English to make a personal opinion sound more authoritative.
- 毎日８時間寝るのが健康に一番いいと考えられている。It's a well-known fact that sleeping 8 hours every day is the best thing for your health.
Examples
納豆は体にいいと考えられている。
Natto is considered to be good for your health.
恐竜は何百万年も前に絶滅したと考えられている。
It is thought that dinosaurs went extinct millions of years ago.
毎日の運動は健康に大切だと考えられている。
Daily exercise is considered to be important for one's health.
このお寺は江戸時代に建てられたと考えられている。
This temple is thought to have been built during the Edo period.
富士山は日本のシンボルだと考えられている。
Mount Fuji is considered a symbol of Japan.
アニメは日本の最も有名な文化輸出の一つと思われている。
Anime is thought of as one of Japan's most famous cultural exports.
多くの人が嫌いだが、クモは益虫だと考えられている。
Although many people dislike them, spiders are considered to be beneficial insects.
新しい言語を学ぶことは脳にいいと考えられている。
Learning a new language is considered to be good for the brain.
努力すれば誰でも良い人になれると考えられている。
It is believed that anyone can become a good person if they try.
幽霊は本当は存在しないと思われている。
It is generally thought that ghosts don't actually exist.
ピラミッドは宇宙人が作ったものだと考えられている。
The pyramids are thought to have been built by aliens.
本を読むだけで、視野が広がると考えられている。
It is thought that just reading books broadens your perspective.