BackGrammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 17
Structure of と言(い)ってもいい:
Verb + といってもいい
［い］Adjective + といってもいい
［な］Adjective + （だ） + といってもいい
Noun + （だ） + といってもいい
Details about と言(い)ってもいい:
と言ってもいい is a common expression in Japanese which literally means 'even if you say (A), it is good/ok'. This is translated more naturally as 'you could say (A)', or 'you might say (A)'.
As the と at the beginning of the phrase is the 'quotation' use of the と particle, と言ってもいい may be used after almost any statement that the speaker wants to quote.
As the と at the beginning of the phrase is the 'quotation' use of the と particle, と言ってもいい may be used after almost any statement that the speaker wants to quote.
- あの人は一日に7食も食べているから、一日中食べていると言ってもいい。That person eats 7 meals a day, so you could say that he is eating all day.
- そのスポーツは危ないと言ってもいい。You could say that sport is dangerous.
- あの人の仕事のやり方は丁寧だと言ってもいい。You could say that how that person works is careful.
- 彼女はすごい優しい人だと言ってもいいでしょう。It is safe to say that she is a very nice person.
と言(い)ってもいい
Usage Notes for と言(い)ってもいい:
Synonyms for と言(い)ってもいい:
と
Quotation
って
Casual quotation
Verb + てもいい
It's okay to, It's alright to, Can/may
と言える
Would or could say that..., Can probably say that..., Fair to say that...
ないでもない
Kind of, Might, Slightly, It’s not (impossible) that, Somewhat, In some respects
Example of と言(い)ってもいい
彼はとてもいい人だといってもいいです。
You might say that he is a very good person.
あの子は、魚のように泳げるといってもいいです。
You might say that that kid can swim like a fish.
彼は全然日本語が出来ないといってもいい。
You could say that he can't speak a word of Japanese.
あの二人が付き合っているといってもいいだろう。
You might say that they are together. (Dating)
このワインは飲みやすいといってもいい。
One might say that this is a palatable wine.
Grammar same lesson
させられる (Causative-Passive)
Verbs (Causative-passive voice), To be made to do something, To be forced to do
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