Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 2
〜といえば~to ieba
speaking of
Use 「〜といえば」 after a noun to bring up a typical thing you immediately associate with it.
How it works
When you hear “Kyoto,” what comes to mind first? 「といえば」 introduces something typical that you immediately associate with it.
Add 「といえば」 after a noun to name the starting point of the association: 京都といえば、…。
When traveling, you can ask 「何ですか」 as in the conversation to find out what is typical of the area.
Here, 「といえば」 means “speaking of…”. It expresses an association, not a hypothetical condition.
In the examples, 「です」 names a typical thing, while “bring to mind” describes your own association.
Kyoto can bring old streets to mind, but also matcha. There can be more than one typical association.
Try saying what comes to mind first with 「夏といえば、…」, then compare your association with the example.
Example sentences
- 京都kyoutoとtoいえieば、ba、古いfurui町並みmachinamiやya伝統dentou工芸kougeiをo思いomoi
In a conversation
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Speaking of this region's local cuisine, it's the warm hot pot dishes eaten in winter.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
京都____、古い町並みや伝統工芸を思い出します。
Speaking of Kyoto, I think of old streets and traditional crafts.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜といえばspeaking of