Japanese grammar
What does ～といい～といい mean? Japanese grammar N1
～といい～といい means both… and… (evaluating all aspects).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + といい + N + といい |
| Romaji | toii toii |
| Meaning | both… and… (evaluating all aspects) |
Forming it
| Noun (aspect) | 味 + といい + 値段 + といい |
|---|---|
| Noun (attribute) | 色 + といい + 形 + といい |
How to use it
States two representative aspects as the basis for an overall assessment of a subject. Formal writing/speech.
- 「～といい～といい」 states two representative aspects of the same subject, then gives an overall assessment: “whether it's..., or...; every aspect is...”.
- The latter clause is the speaker's EVALUATION (praise or criticism), not an objective fact.
- Different from 「～といわず～といわず」 (regardless of where/when, emphasizing everything): this pattern picks two representative points.
Examples
この服は色といいデザインといい、申し分ない。
This outfit — the color, the design — is flawless.
あの店は味といい値段といい、文句のつけようがない。
That restaurant, in taste and in price, leaves nothing to complain about.
Keep in mind
- The two nouns are two aspects of the SAME subject.
- The following clause is a comment/evaluation.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong色といいデザインといい、買いました。
Whether it's the color or the design, I bought it.
Correct色といいデザインといい、素晴らしい。
The latter clause must be an EVALUATION, not an objective action/fact.
-
Wrong父といい母といい、家にいます。
Whether it's my father or my mother, they're both at home.
Correct父といい母といい、頑固で困る。
The two clauses are two ASPECTS for an evaluation; a neutral statement of fact uses 「も～も」.
Exam tips
- 「といい～といい」 = two representative aspects → overall assessment; the latter clause is a comment.