What does ～というと mean? Japanese grammar N3

Forming it

How to use it

States a topic, then immediately says what comes to mind about it. Also used to ask for confirmation.

• Way 1 ASSOCIATION: 「日本料理というと、まず寿司が思い浮かぶ」. The clause after is the typical image everyone thinks of.
• Way 2 CONFIRMATION: 「田中さんというと、営業部の田中さんですか」 (do you mean which Tanaka?).
• Close to 「といえば」 (bringing up a topic, changing subject) and 「といったら」 (strong exclamation). 「というと」 leans toward reflexive association and asking for confirmation.

Examples

• 日本料理(にほんりょうり)というと、まず寿司(すし)が思(おも)い浮(う)かぶ。

  When you say Japanese food, sushi comes to mind first.

• 田中(たなか)さんというと、営業(えいぎょう)部(ぶ)の田中(たなか)さんのことですか。

  When you say Tanaka, do you mean Tanaka from the sales department?

Keep in mind

• Connects directly to a noun.
• The following clause is a common association, not an unusual personal opinion.

Common mistakes

• Wrong日本料理(にほんりょうり)をというと、寿司(すし)です。

  When it comes to Japanese food, sushi comes to mind right away.

  Correct日本料理(にほんりょうり)というと、寿司(すし)です。

  Connect directly to the noun, without adding the particle 「を」.

• Wrong寿司(すし)というと、私(わたし)は昨日(きのう)食(た)べました。

  Speaking of sushi, I ate some yesterday.

  Correct寿司(すし)というと、やはり新鮮(しんせん)なネタが命(いのち)だ。

  The clause after must be a general association, not your own personal story.

Exam tips

• 「というと」 = mentioning A immediately brings B to mind / asking for confirmation.

Related patterns

• ～といえば
• ～といったら
• ～について