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Grammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 10

Structure of といえば:

Noun + ()えば(1)

(1) ()うと()ったら

Details about といえば:

()えば, と()うと, and と()ったら are all expressions that are translated quite closely to 'speaking of (A)', or 'if it were the case that (A)'. Each of these structures has a slightly different nuance, but are largely used in the same situations.
()えば - More hypothetical, 'were it (A)'.
()うと - More concrete, 'if it's (A)'.
()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()えば.
  • (なつ)()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(せんげつ)銀行(ぎんこう)強盗(ごうとう)(つか)まった(ひと)ですね。
    Speaking of Tanaka-san, he is the person that got arrested for robbing a bank right?
  • ラーメン?日本(にほん)()ったら寿司(すし)(ほう)人気(にんき)でしょう
    Ramen? If it's Japan (we're talking about), sushi is more popular, isn't it?
といえば

Usage Notes for といえば:

Although these phrases are used in response to something that has already been mentioned, their purpose is to change the topic of the conversation somehow (or to add new information), rather than continuing along with the same subject.
  • (なつ)()ったら(まつ)りだから明日(あした)(まつ)一緒(いっしょ)()かない
    Speaking of summer, since it's a festival, do you want to go to the festival tomorrow?
  • キクチ(くん)といえば(いく)なんだろう
    Speaking of Kikuchi-kun, I wonder how old he is.

Synonyms for といえば:

そういえば
Speaking of which, By the way, Come to think of it
ところで
By the way, Incidentally
As for... (Highlights sentence topic)
って
As for, Speaking of, Casual は (Sentence topic marker)

Example of といえば

A:「最近(さいきん)、アニメは国際的(こくさいてき)人気(にんき)になっていく。」
B:「アニメといえばドラグーンボールの(あたら)しいシーズンが放送(ほうそう)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(やせい)動物(どうぶつ)がよく()られるらしい。」
B:「オーロラの(うつく)しさといったら言葉(ことば)では表現(ひょうげん)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:「あたしはアメリカ有名人(ゆうめいじん)について()のが()だわ。」
B:「アメリカ有名人(ゆうめいじん)といえば、トム・クルーズは()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(くるま)世界(せかい)(てき)有名(ゆうめい)ですね。」
B: 「(くるま)といえば日本(にほん)(なか)では、トヨタが有名(ゆうめい)です。」

A: 'German cars are known all over the world.'
B: 'Speaking of cars, in Japan, Toyota is famous.'

A: 「夏休(なつやす)(うみ)()きたいわ。」
B: 「(なつ)といえばかき(ごおり)だよね。」

A: 'I want to go to the beach during summer vacation.'
B: 'Speaking of summer, shaved ice!'

Grammar same lesson

事(こと)はない

There is no need to, Never happens
See detailsreport

は~で有名(ゆうめい)

Is famous for
See detailsreport

と言(い)っても

Although ~ might say that ~
See detailsreport

合(あ)う

To or for one another, Mutually, With
See detailsreport

の姿(すがた)

Figure, Shape, Appearance, Looks, Wearing, Dressed in, Presence
See detailsreport
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