What does ～から言わせれば mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

States the OPINION of a specific standpoint, often implying a rebuttal of another view.

• 「～から言わせれば」 = "if you let (that person) speak...", stating an opinion from a particular standpoint; often implies a REBUTTAL of a prevailing view.
• The more common form is 「～に言わせれば」; the meaning is nearly the same.
• Attaches only to PEOPLE/groups of people, not to things.

Examples

• 私(わたし)から言(い)わせれば、その計画(けいかく)は現実(げんじつ)的(てき)ではない。

  If you ask me, that plan isn’t realistic.

• 専門(せんもん)家(か)から言(い)わせれば、この数字(すうじ)は誤差(ごさ)の範囲(はんい)だそうだ。

  According to the experts, this figure is apparently within the margin of error.

Keep in mind

• The subject is a person/group of people.
• The following clause is a subjective opinion, often contrary to the majority view.

Common mistakes

• Wrongデータから言(い)わせれば、結論(けつろん)は明(あき)らかだ。

  Looking at the data, the conclusion is already clear.

  Correctデータから見(み)れば、結論(けつろん)は明(あき)らかだ。

  「から言わせれば」 attaches only to PEOPLE; when the basis is data/a thing, use 「から見れば／からすると」.

• Wrong私(わたし)から言(い)わせれば、明日(あした)は雨(あめ)が降(ふ)るそうだ。

  If you ask me, I heard it will rain tomorrow.

  Correct私(わたし)から言(い)わせれば、その考(かんが)えは甘(あま)い。

  The following clause must be that person's subjective OPINION, not information heard from another source.

Exam tips

• 「から言わせれば」 = "if you ask (a person)..." (often a rebuttal); attaches only to people.

Related patterns

• ～に言わせれば
• ～からすると
• ～にとって