Structure
Question Word + (の(1)) + かというと(2)
Question Word + Phrase + (の(1)) + かというと(2)
(1) ん
(2) かといえば
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Standard
使用域
一般
About ~かというと ②
~かというと is a phrase that has two primary functions. The first is used in conjunction with 'why' and 'how' words, while the other is used with 'who', 'when', 'where', 'which' or 'what'. We will focus on the latter in this lesson. かというと is a combination of the case marking particle か in its use as a question marker, the case marking particle と in its citation use, the う - Verb 言う 'to say', and the case marking particle と in its result use.
This is quite a few particles combined together, but the literal meaning is more simply 'if (A) were to be asked', before the speaker will go on to highlight their reasoning in (B). 何で, 何, どちら, 誰, どの, and similar words often appear as the 'who', 'where', or 'which' words in these sentences.
This is quite a few particles combined together, but the literal meaning is more simply 'if (A) were to be asked', before the speaker will go on to highlight their reasoning in (B). 何で, 何, どちら, 誰, どの, and similar words often appear as the 'who', 'where', or 'which' words in these sentences.
- 何で日本に引っ越して来たかというと 、私の家族が日本に住んでいるからです。If I were to say why I moved to Japan, it is because my family lives here.
- 誰と旅行に行きたいかというと 、大親友と行きたい。If I were to say who I wanted to travel with, it would be my best friend.
- どの街に住みたいかというと 、両親が住んでいる街に住みたいと思っています。If I were to say which city I wanted to live in, I think it would be the city that my parents do.
Caution
Like other grammar points that utilize the 'if' nuance of と, ば, and sometimes even たら may be used. However, たら will appear far less frequently than と or ば.- 何でこんな事になったかといえば、私がきちんと確認をしなかったからです。If I were to say why something like this happened, well, it is because I did not check properly.
- 誰が一番上手かといったらB組のタカハシさんです。If I were to say who was the best, it would be Takahashi-san from class B.
Synonyms
Examples
何でこんなことになったかというと、すべてが始まったのは1週間ほど前に学校から帰っていた時...
If I were to say why it turned out like this, well, it all started around 1 week ago when I was coming back from school...
オティス:「人生で最も大切にしているのは何かというと、それは人でしょう。私が一人ぼっちだった時助けてくれた人たちのことです。」
Otis: 'If I were to say what do I value in life the most, that would be: people. (Specifically) the people who helped me when I was all alone.'
コウさん:「明日、用事ある?一緒にどこかに行く?」
ニノさん:「用事があるわけではないけど、どちらかっていうと家でゆっくりしたい。」Kou: 'Do you have plans for tomorrow? Do you want to go somewhere together?'
Nino: 'It is not like I have plans, but if I were to choose one, I'd rather take it easy at home.'イチカさん:「ミクちゃんは好きな人がいるみたいに見えるよ。」
イツキさん:「誰が好きかっていうときっとフウタロウくんでしょう。」Ichika: 'It looks like Miku has a crush on someone.'
Itsuki: 'If I were to say on who, then it would be Futaro.'何を晩ご飯に食べたいかっていうと...よく分からない...焼きそばかもしれん...
If I were to say what I want for dinner... I don't know... yakisoba, maybe...
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Breakdown and examples
JapaneseTest4You
Inquiring about yourself
Maggie Sensei
というと vs. といえば
絵でわかる日本語
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Tobira
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[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
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~かというと ② – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (8 in total)
EdBunpro
Do you remember what the sentence in question was? Will help to hone in on what could potentially be the problem.
Bellonz
ニノさん:用事があるわけではないけど、どちら(かっていうと) 家でゆっくりしたい。
I’m guessing maybe it’s just that it is the casual って for と、but it seemed strange that it just marks it wrong instead of asking for a more casual link?
Fuga
Hey there! It seems like というと has been added to the list of accepted answers! Thank you for letting us know about this error and we apologize for the inconvenience!
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