Translation guide
A phrase used to indicate that a description is not literally true but is a way of expressing something figuratively or approximately. In Japanese, this is often conveyed through adverbial phrases or sentence-ending expressions that soften a statement.
To indicate that a word or phrase is being used in a figurative or approximate sense, similar to 'so to speak' or 'in a manner of speaking'.
A common adverb meaning 'so to speak' or 'as it were'. It introduces a figurative or approximate description.
彼はいわば、このチームの心臓だ。
He is, as it were, the heart of this team.
Literally 'if you try to say it', used like 'so to speak' or 'as it were'. Slightly more conversational than いわば.
この場所は、言ってみれば、私の第二の故郷です。
This place is, as it were, my second home.
Means 'what is called' or 'so-called'. It can be used similarly to 'as it were' when referring to something by a common name, but it is more direct and less figurative.
いわゆる is more for labeling something with a known term, while 'as it were' often softens a metaphorical statement. Use いわば for a closer match.
Means 'in a sense'. It can be used to qualify a statement, similar to 'as it were', but it emphasizes a particular perspective rather than a figurative expression.
ある意味では、彼の言うことは正しい。
In a sense, what he says is correct.
いわば is used for figurative or metaphorical expressions, while いわゆる is used to introduce a commonly known term or label. For 'as it were', いわば is usually the better choice.
彼はいわば現代の侍だ。
He is, as it were, a modern-day samurai.
彼はいわゆる現代の侍と呼ばれている。
He is what is called a modern-day samurai.
彼はいわゆる天才だ。
He is what you might call a genius.