Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 3: 14/22

というと
speaking of, if it were the case that

Structure
Noun + 言えば(1)

(1) 言うと言ったら
Details
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使用域 一般
Information
と言(い)えば, と言(い)うと, and と言(い)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.
と言(い)えば - More hypothetical, ‘were it (A)’.
と言(い)うと - More concrete, ‘if it’s (A)’.
と言(い)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(い)えば.
  • 夏(なつ)と言(い)えばスイカバーでしょ!
    If we’re talking 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)捕(つか)まった人(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)と言(い)ったら寿司(すし)の方(ほう)が人気(にんき)でしょう
    Ramen? If it’s Japan, sushi is more popular, isn't it?
Caution
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.
  • 夏(なつ)と言(い)ったら祭(まつ)りだから明日(あした)祭(まつ)り一緒(いっしょ)に行(い)かない
    Speaking of summer, since it’s a festival, do you want to go to the festival tomorrow?
  • キクチ君(くん)といえば、幾(いく)つなんだろう
    Speaking of Kikuchi-kun, I wonder how old he is.
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A最近(さいきん)、アニメは国際的(こくさいてき)に人気(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新(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?
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Aカナダではオーロラや野生(やせい)動物(どうぶつ)がよく見(み)られるらしい。
B:オーロラの美(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.
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A:あたしはアメリカ有名人(ゆうめいじん)について読(よ)むのが好(す)きだわ。
Bアメリカ有名人(ゆうめいじん)といえば、トム・クルーズは知(し)っているの?
A: I like to read about American celebrities.
B: Speaking of American celebrities, do you know Tom Cruise?
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