ということだ

ということだ is used to report information you heard or to summarize what something means based on what you observed or inferred. It can convey hearsay or conclusions drawn from a situation. It often follows a plain verb/ichi form or a noun to express 'it means that …' or 'I hear that …'. In casual speech it states information as a fact you’ve learned; in formal contexts, ということです/でした is used. Be mindful of nuance: it can imply you are relaying someone else’s statement or general consensus, not necessarily your own assertion.