What does ～となると mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

States that whenever topic/situation A comes up, naturally B. Emphasizes A's distinctiveness.

• 「～となると」 = whenever A comes up, naturally B. Emphasizes that A is a DISTINCTIVE case, different from the ordinary.
• The latter clause is a reaction/consequence that everyone can see as inevitable.
• Different from 「～となったら」 (emphasizes the hypothesis “if it turns out that way”): 「となると」 leans toward a rule whenever A occurs.

Examples

• 試験(しけん)となると、彼(かれ)はいつも体調(たいちょう)を崩(くず)す。

  Come exam time, he always falls ill.

• 東京(とうきょう)で暮(く)らすとなると、家賃(やちん)の負担(ふたん)が大(おお)きい。

  When it comes to living in Tokyo, rent is a heavy burden.

Keep in mind

• A is a distinctive topic/situation.
• The following clause is an inevitable consequence.

Common mistakes

• Wrong毎朝(まいあさ)となると、歯(は)を磨(みが)く。

  I brush my teeth every morning.

  Correct毎朝(まいあさ)、歯(は)を磨(みが)く。

  A must be a DISTINCTIVE situation; an everyday routine doesn't use this pattern.

• Wrong試験(しけん)となると、頑張(がんば)ってください。

  Whenever it comes to exams, please do your best.

  Correct試験(しけん)となると、誰(だれ)でも緊張(きんちょう)する。

  The latter clause is an INEVITABLE objective consequence, not a request.

Exam tips

• 「となると」 = whenever A comes up, naturally B; A must be distinctive.

Related patterns

• ～となったら
• ～ともなると
• ～ときたら