～ということ

About

～ということ is a combination of the quotation marker と, the verb 言いう ("to say"), and こと ("thing". The ～ということ pattern can be used to clarify, ask for clarification, and present new info. It is usually translated as "that means X".

E.g. マイクは今日きょうも来きていないの？あまりこのチームに興味きょうがないということかな。 "Mike isn't here again today? I guess that means he doesn't have much interest in this team."

In casual scenarios, ～ということ can be shortened to ～ってこと.

E.g. ってことは、明日あしたは無理むり？ "Does that mean tomorrow is no good?"

Summary

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  ～ということ means "that means X", or "Does that mean X?"

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  ～ということ is used to clarify, ask for clarification or present new information

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  ～ということ can be shortened to ～ってこと in casual speech