所谓 (the so-called …)

A shortcut that wasn’t

• Your friend promised a quick route home; it took twice as long.
• he / him他tāso-called所谓suǒ wèi(modifier / structural particle)的deshortcut近路jìn lù，than / compared to比bǐavenue大路dà lù还远hái yuǎn。 — "His so-called shortcut was even longer than the main road."

so-called所谓suǒ wèi((modifier / structural particle)的de) + noun = so-called / what is called

• so-called所谓suǒ wèi(modifier / structural particle)的de X can be doubtful or ironic: "the so-called X (which isn't really)".
• It can also be neutral, introducing a definition: so-called所谓suǒ wèi"(attributive) low-carbon低碳dī tàn"，is just就是jiù shìto lessen减少jiǎn shǎocarbon dioxide CO2二氧化碳èr yǎng huà tànto arrange in order排放pái fàng。 — "What is called 'low-carbon' means reducing CO₂ emissions."

so-called所谓suǒ wèi的deexpert专家zhuān jiā。

Two uses

• Ironic: this这zhèis just就是jiù shìyou你nǐso-called所谓suǒ wèi(modifier / structural particle)的de"degree / adjective linker很hěncheap便宜pián yi"？ — "So this is what you call 'very cheap'?"
• Defining: so-called所谓suǒ wèihappiness幸福xìng fú，is just就是jiù shìdoing做zuòone自己zì jǐlikes喜欢xǐ huan(modifier / structural particle)的dethings事shì。 — "Happiness is doing what you love."

what is called所谓suǒ wèihappiness幸福xìng fú，is just就是jiù shìdoing做zuòone自己zì jǐlikes喜欢xǐ huan的dethings事shì。

Tone matters

so-called所谓suǒ wèi versus is called叫做jiào zuò

• is called叫做jiào zuò neutrally names something: this kind of这种zhè zhǒngflower花huāis called叫做jiào zuòpeony牡丹mǔ dān — "This flower is called a peony."
• so-called所谓suǒ wèi often signals doubt or sets up a definition for discussion.

this kind of这种zhè zhǒngflower花huāis called叫做jiào zuòpeony牡丹mǔ dān。

Recap

Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Sentence patterns.