BackGrammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 10
Structure of といえば:
Noun + と言えば(1)
(1) と言うと、と言ったら
Details about といえば:
と言えば - More hypothetical, 'were it (A)'.
と言うと - More concrete, 'if it's (A)'.
と言ったら - More situational, 'when it's (A)'.
These constructions are most commonly used after nouns, in response to something that has already been mentioned in the conversation (usually by someone else). The thing that has already been said is quite often the 'trigger' for someone remembering something, causing them to interject with と言えば.
- 夏と言えばスイカバーでしょ！If we're talking (about) summer, it's gotta be a Suika-bar, don't you think? (Suika-bars are the best thing when it is summer, don't you think)
- タナカさんというと、先月銀行強盗で捕まった人ですよね。Speaking of Tanaka-san, he is the person that got arrested for robbing a bank right?
- ラーメン？日本と言ったら寿司の方が人気でしょう。Ramen? If it's Japan (we're talking about), sushi is more popular, isn't it?
Usage Notes for といえば:
- 夏と言ったら祭りだから、明日の祭りに一緒に行かない？Speaking of summer, since it's a festival, do you want to go to the festival tomorrow?
- キクチ君といえば、幾つなんだろう？Speaking of Kikuchi-kun, I wonder how old he is.
Synonyms for といえば:
Example of といえば
A：「最近、アニメは国際的に人気になっていくよ。」
B：「アニメといえばドラグーンボールの新しいシーズンが放送されているね。」
A: 'Recently anime is getting popular internationally.'
B: 'Speaking of anime, a new season of 'Dragoon ball' has aired, right?'
A：「カナダではオーロラや野生動物がよく見られるらしい。」
B：「オーロラの美しさといったら、言葉では表現できませんなあ。」
A: 'I have heard that you can see auroras and wild animals in Canada.'
B: 'Speaking of the beauty of auroras, it cannot be described with words.'
A：「あたしはアメリカの有名人について読むのが好きだわ。」
B：「アメリカの有名人といえば、トム・クルーズは知っているの？」
A: 'I like to read about American celebrities.'
B: 'Speaking of American celebrities, do you know Tom Cruise?'
A: 「ドイツの車は世界的に有名ですね。」
B: 「車といえば日本の中では、トヨタが有名です。」
A: 'German cars are known all over the world.'
B: 'Speaking of cars, in Japan, Toyota is famous.'
A: 「夏休み、海に行きたいわ。」
B: 「夏といえばかき氷だよね。」
A: 'I want to go to the beach during summer vacation.'
B: 'Speaking of summer, shaved ice!'
Grammar same lesson
