N4
といわれている
It is said that, Is known as
危ないと言われているので、しないほうがいいよ。
Because it is said that it is dangerous, you shouldn't do it.
Explanation
「〜といわれている」 means 'it is said that …' or 'is known as …'. A view or common knowledge is passed around and widely known: 「納豆は体にいいと言われている」 (Natto is said to be good for you), 「カラスは非常に賢い鳥だと言われている」 (Crows are said to be very clever birds). The speaker does not take responsibility for whether it is true, only passes on what people say.
Mixed up with
Unlike hearsay 「〜そうだ」: 「そうだ」 usually comes from a specific source, such as 「今朝のニュースによると」 or 「田中さんが言っていた」. 「といわれている」 has no particular source; it is something that has long circulated in society.
Forms: after a な-adjective or a noun the plain form often keeps 「だ」: 「安全だと言われている」.
Easily confused withそうだ・といわれている: the difference ›