Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 8: 9/19

と来(き)たら ①When it comes to, That or this … of mine, That or this darn …, That or this blasted …

AときたらB can also express that for a topic A, the most suitable course of action/the most suited match is B. As in 夏ときたらやっぱり海！

Structure

Noun + ときたら

Details

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    Casual

About ときたら

ときたら is an expression used casually when expressing mild frustration toward (A) in a lighthearted manner. This structure is a combination of the case-marking particle と, and 来(く)る combined with the conjunction particle たら 'if', 来(き)たら. It will often simply be translated as 'that blasted (A)', or 'that damn (A)'. Despite this, the literal meaning is just 'when it comes to (A)'.

ときたら will directly follow nouns.

This grammar pattern will almost exclusively appear in kana, so memorizing the stem verb it comes from will help to remember the meaning.

Fun Fact

In line with the literal meaning of 'when it comes to (A)', ときたら may also be used when the speaker wants to highlight something about (A) that is 'to be expected', or 'only natural'. Determining whether ときたら is being used in this way, or to express frustration, is usually quite clear in the second half of the statement.

  • うちの犬(いぬ)ときたら、家(いえ)にお客(きゃく)さんが来(く)るとその人(ひと)に飛(と)びつくからもっと躾(しつけ)をちゃんとしないといけない。
    When it comes to my dog, when a guest comes to our place, he jumps on them so I need to train him properly. (To be expected)
  • カセットテープを使(つか)う機会(きかい)がなくなったため、最近(さいきん)の若者(わかもの)ときたら、カセットプレイヤーが使(つか)えない子達(こたち)が多(おお)い。
    Since there is no opportunity to use cassette tapes, when it comes to the younger generation, there are many who do not know how to use cassette players. (Only natural)

Despite having two almost opposite nuances, it may help to think of ときたら as just 'when it comes to (A)' in all situations, with the (B) part of the phrase indicating whether it is positive or negative.

Examples

--:--

    「義理(ぎり)の母(はは)ときたら私(わたし)のことをぼやいてばかりよ。」

    'That mother-in-law of mine, she always complains about me!'

    「このプリンターときたら、忙(いそが)しい時(とき)に限(かぎ)って故障(こしょう)するぞ！」

    'This freaking printer of mine, it breaks only when I am busy.'

    「娘(むすめ)は真面目(まじめ)に勉強(べんきょう)しているのに、息子(むすこ)ときたら・・・（何(なに)もやらない）」

    'Even though my daughter studies very seriously, that son of mine... (Doesn't do anything at all)'

    「うちの旦那(だんな)ときたら、連休中(れんきゅうちゅう)うちでゴロゴロばかりで、子(こ)どもの面倒(めんどう)をみてくれないの。」

    'That husband of mine, he is always loafing around during the holidays and doesn't take care of children!'

    「隣(となり)の人(ひと)ときたら、毎日(まいにち)、毎日(まいにち)、朝(あさ)の６(ろく)時(じ)からラジオを聞(き)くからうるさくて眠(ねむ)れない。」

    'That freaking neighbor of mine, every single day he listens to radio from 6 a.m. so loud that I can't sleep.'

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