Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
Speaking of…, When one mentions…, If you mean…
🎯 Primary Function
To introduce the most prominent, typical, or associated example/fact when a topic is mentioned. It shifts the focus from the general topic to a specific, commonly known item.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb (Plain Form/Dictionary Form) + と言うと
I-adjective (Plain Form) + と言うと
Na-adjective (Plain Form) + と言うと
Plain Form Negative + と言うと
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Used in business or academic settings to introduce a key example or definition, often followed by a polite ending (です/ます).
Informal Situations
Very frequently used in daily conversation to transition smoothly to a related topic or shared memory.
Written Language
Used in articles, essays, and reports when citing the most famous or representative example of a category.
Spoken Language
Extremely common. It acts as an associative transition marker.
💡 Common Applications
Introducing a Typical Example or Association
Used after a general topic (Manga) to introduce the most famous or stereotypical example related to it.
Example: 漫画というと、やっぱり「ドラえもん」が有名です。
Expressing a Sudden Realization or Strong Memory
Used to express that the preceding topic immediately brings a specific memory or thought to mind.
Example: 去年の夏というと、あの花火大会が思い出されます。
Seeking Clarification or Confirmation (Less common)
Used to ask for a precise definition or to confirm what the speaker means by the preceding phrase.
Example: 彼が言った「成功」というと、給料が上がることですか。
Frequency
High (especially in spoken conversation)
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N3 / N2)
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
日本料理というと、やっぱりお寿司ですね。
Furigana: にほんりょうりというと、やっぱりおすしですね。
Romaji: Nihon ryōri to iu to, yappari osushi desu ne.
English: Speaking of Japanese food, the first thing that comes to mind is sushi, isn’t it?
Example #2
北海道というと、皆雪と美味しい海産物を考えます。
Furigana: ほっかいどうというと、みんなゆきとおいしいかいさんぶつをかんがえます。
Romaji: Hokkaidō to iu to, minna yuki to oishii kaisanbutsu o kangaemasu.
English: When you mention Hokkaido, everyone thinks of snow and delicious seafood.
Example #3
「江戸時代」というと、どのような詳しい歴史の出来事ですか。
Furigana: 「えどじだい」というと、どのようなくわしいれきしのできごとですか。
Romaji: “Edo jidai” to iu to, dono yō na kuwashii rekishi no dekigoto desu ka.
English: If you say the ‘Edo period,’ what specific historical events are you referring to?
Example #4
夏休みというと、すぐに海へ旅行したいことを思い出します。
Furigana: なつやすみというと、すぐにうみへりょこうしたいことをおもいだします。
Romaji: Natsu yasumi to iu to, sugu ni umi e ryokō shitai koto o omoideshimasu.
English: When I think of summer vacation, I instantly remember traveling to the beach.
Example #5
一番好きな映画というと、あの子供の頃に観た名作です。
Furigana: いちばんすきなえいがというと、あのこどものころにみためいさくです。
Romaji: Ichiban suki na eiga to iu to, ano kodomo no koro ni mita meisaku desu.
English: Speaking of my favorite movie, it’s definitely that classic film I watched as a child.
Example #6
新しい電話を買ったというと、どのモデルのことですか。
Furigana: あたらしいでんわをかったというと、どのモデルのことですか。
Romaji: Atarashii denwa o katta to iu to, dono moderu no koto desu ka.
English: You said you bought a new phone; which model exactly are you talking about?
Example #7
この地域の特徴というと、きれいな紅葉です。
Furigana: このちいきのとくちょうというと、きれいなこうようです。
Romaji: Kono chiiki no tokuchō to iu to, kirei na kōyō desu.
English: The characteristic of this region, if I were to name one, would be the beautiful autumn leaves.
Example #8
あの難しい試験というと、ぎりぎり合格できたことを思い出します。
Furigana: あのむずかしいしけんというと、ぎりぎりごうかくできたことをおもいだします。
Romaji: Ano muzukashii shiken to iu to, girigiri gōkaku dekita koto o omoideshima.
English: Speaking of that difficult exam, I remember I barely managed to pass it.
Example #9
環境問題というと、プラスチックごみのことがよく出てきます。
Furigana: かんきょうもんだいというと、プラスチックごみのことがよくでてきます。
Romaji: Kankyō mondai to iu to, purasuchikku gomi no koto ga yoku dete kimasu.
English: When people mention environmental problems, the issue of plastic waste usually comes up first.
Example #10
「丁寧な言葉」というと、目上の人に使う敬語のことですか。
Furigana: 「ていねいなことば」というと、めうえのひとにつかうけいごのことですか。
Romaji: “Teinei na kotoba” to iu to, meue no hito ni tsukau keigo no koto desu ka.
English: If you say “polite language,” do you mean keigo, which is used toward superiors?
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Focus on Stereotype/Typicality
It introduces the *most representative* or *typical* characteristic/example of the subject (富士山).
Example: 富士山というと、日本の象徴です。
Confirmation of Common Knowledge
It allows the speaker to clarify or confirm an understanding or common knowledge about the topic (山田先生).
Example: 山田先生というと、とても厳しい人だと聞きました。
Expressing Tendency or Outcome
It can express a typical outcome or tendency associated with the preceding action or concept (旅行).
Example: 旅行というと、いつも荷物が多くなりがちです。
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 彼はいつも遅刻するというと、困りますね。
✅ 日本料理といえば、寿司ですね。
While と言うと works, learners sometimes confuse it with といえば, which is generally used for simply harking back to a previous topic, rather than defining the most *typical* association.
❌ この文法は難しいというとは、私もそう思います。
✅ この文法は難しいというと、同意します。
The pattern should connect a concept/noun/clause (the topic) to its typical outcome or association. It is generally not used simply to state a reaction to a plain-form clause. Use のは.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. The level of politeness is determined by the sentence ending (e.g., です/ます for polite; だ/だね for casual).
Social Situations: Excellent for initiating a discussion or moving from a general subject to a specific, mutually understood point of reference in group settings.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese. No significant regional variation in structure, though pronunciation might vary slightly.
🔍 Subtle Differences
〜といえば (to ieba)
This pattern is used to casually bring up an anecdote or related topic, often based on personal recollection or a tangential thought.
When to use: Use when you remember something unrelated but prompted by the topic, or when changing the subject gently.
〜と言えば (to ieba) / 〜と言ったら (to ittara)
と言ったら shares the association function but can also carry a stronger nuance of emphasis, astonishment, or extremity regarding the following statement.
When to use: Use when the resulting example/fact is surprisingly typical, impressive, or extreme.
〜というのは (to iu no wa)
This pattern is primarily used for defining or explaining the meaning of the preceding word/phrase, focusing on definition rather than association.
When to use: Use when explaining ‘What X is’ to someone who doesn’t know.
📝 Conjugation Notes
The particle と is essential. The preceding element must be in the plain form (dictionary form, ta-form, or noun/na-adjective without the final だ, though the full plain form is acceptable). Nouns are the most common elements to precede と言うと.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The と言うと (to iu to) is usually pronounced with smooth connection, almost like ‘to yū to’, emphasizing the association. The pitch often rises slightly on the topic noun before the pattern.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of the phrase literally: 「と」 (if/when) 「言う」 (you say) $\rightarrow$ “If you say (X), then (Y is the typical result/association).” This helps you remember its associative function.
Other Grammar
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.