〜と言えば〜 [Emphasizing Emotions or States]

Explanation

In Japanese, 〜と言えば〜 is a common expression that means "extremely" or "very." It is often used to emphasize the intensity of a certain emotion or state, and it has a conversational tone.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
〜と言えば〜	+ Noun/Adjective	When 「と言えば（といえば）」 is connected to a noun or adjective, it emphasizes the extreme degree of the thing or feeling represented by the preceding noun.

Basic Usage

When using 〜と言えば〜 to describe an extreme emotion or state, you typically mention a specific event or situation first, and then use 「と言えば」 to introduce the feeling or evaluation of that situation.

Examples

• 彼かれは嬉うれしいと言えば嬉うれしい。
• Kare wa ureshii to ieba ureshii.
• He is extremely happy.
  

• 結婚けっこんが決きまった時ときの彼女かのじょの喜よろこびと言えば凄すごかった。
• Kekkon ga kimatta toki no kanojo no yorokobi to ieba sugokatta.
• Her joy when the marriage was decided was absolutely overwhelming.
  

Deep Dive

〜と言えば〜 is used to emphasize an extreme emotion or state, similar to the English expressions "extremely," "very," or "incredibly." This structure plays a role of emphasis in the sentence, allowing the listener to clearly feel the speaker's strong emotions.

Real-Life Scenarios

In everyday conversations, 〜と言えば〜 is often used to express strong emotions. For example, when you want to say that something makes you extremely happy or very surprised, you can use this structure.

Dialogue Example:

• A: 結婚けっこんが決きまったんだって？
• Kekkon ga kimatta n datte?
• I heard you decided to get married?
  

• B: そうなんだ。喜よろこびと言えば凄すごいんだよ。
• Sou nan da. Yorokobi to ieba sugoi n da yo.
• Yes, I did. I’m incredibly happy about it.
  

Summary

〜と言えば〜 is a very practical grammar structure used to express extreme emotions or states. Mastering it will allow you to express your feelings more vividly and accurately.

〜と言えば〜 - Describing a State

Explanation

The primary use of 〜と言えば〜 is to emphasize feelings or describe a state, often used to express that even if a certain situation exists, it doesn’t lead to any significant change.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Plain Form + と言えば	Verb Plain Form	Used to emphasize that even if a certain situation exists, it doesn’t lead to any significant change.
い-Adjective Plain Form + と言えば	い-Adjective Plain Form	Used to emphasize that even if a certain situation exists, it doesn’t lead to any significant change.
な-Adjective Stem + と言えば	な-Adjective Stem	Used to emphasize that even if a certain situation exists, it doesn’t lead to any significant change.
Noun + と言えば	Noun	Used to emphasize that even if a certain situation exists, it doesn’t lead to any significant change.

Basic Usage

• Verb Plain Form + と言えば
  • 食たべ物ものに関かんしては、これと言えば好すき嫌きらいはないが、着きるものにはこれだけは気きがつかない感かんじがする。
  • Tabemono ni kanshite wa, kore to ieba suki kirai wa nai ga, kiru mono ni wa kore dake wa ki ga tsukanai kanji ga suru.
  • When it comes to food, I don’t have any particular likes or dislikes, but with clothes, I feel like something is missing.
    
• い-Adjective Plain Form + と言えば
  • 天気てんきが悪わるいと言えば、みんなの気分きぶんも下さがることはない。
  • Tenki ga warui to ieba, minna no kibun mo sagaru koto wa nai.
  • Even if the weather is bad, everyone’s mood doesn’t drop because of it.
    
• Noun + と言えば
  • 学生がくせいと言えば、勉強べんきょうばかりしていられない。
  • Gakusei to ieba, benkyou bakari shite irarenai.
  • Even as a student, you can’t just study all the time.
    

Deep Dive

The grammar structure 〜と言えば〜 is very common in Japanese and is mainly used to emphasize that even if a certain situation exists, it doesn’t lead to any significant change. This structure can follow verbs, adjectives, and nouns to emphasize or describe a certain state.

• Verb Plain Form + と言えば
  • Example: 食たべ物ものに関かんしては、これと言えば好すき嫌きらいはないが、着きるものにはこれだけは気きがつかない感かんじがする。
  • Explanation: When it comes to food, I don’t have any particular likes or dislikes, but with clothes, I feel like something is missing.
    
• い-Adjective Plain Form + と言えば
  • Example: 天気てんきが悪わるいと言えば、みんなの気分きぶんも下さがることはない。
  • Explanation: Even if the weather is bad, everyone’s mood doesn’t drop because of it.
    
• Noun + と言えば
  • Example: 学生がくせいと言えば、勉強べんきょうばかりしていられない。
  • Explanation: Even as a student, you can’t just study all the time.
    

Comparison and Differences

Difference between 「〜と言えば〜」 and 「〜といっても〜」

Although both grammar points mean “even if…”, 〜といっても〜 emphasizes the contrast between the preceding and following content, often used to indicate inconsistency between the two.

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
〜と言えば〜	Verb/Adjective/Noun	Used to emphasize that even if a certain situation exists, it doesn’t lead to any significant change.
〜といっても〜	Verb/Adjective/Noun	Used to emphasize the contrast between the preceding and following content, indicating inconsistency.

• Example
  • 彼かれは金持かねもちだといっても、実際じっさいは節約せつやくしている。
  • Kare wa kanemochi da to itte mo, jissai wa setsuyaku shite iru.
  • Even if he says he’s rich, he’s actually very frugal.
    

Real-Life Scenarios

To better understand and apply 〜と言えば〜, here are some examples from real-life conversations:

• 昨日きのうのパーティーの楽しさたのしさと言えば、言葉ことばでは表現ひょうげんできない。
  • Kinou no paatii no tanoshisa to ieba, kotoba de wa hyougen dekinai.
  • The fun of yesterday’s party is something that can’t be put into words.
    

Summary

〜と言えば〜 is a very practical grammar structure, useful for expressing that even if a certain situation exists, it doesn’t lead to any significant change. Mastering this structure will help improve the accuracy and vividness of your Japanese expressions.