Meaning
This grammar pattern is used to express something that comes to mind immediately when a certain topic is mentioned. It shows the natural association between a word and what it reminds you of. The noun before と must be the topic being referred to, and this pattern creates a cause-and-effect relationship between the topic and the associated thought or image.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 名词 | というと/といえば/といったら |
Examples
-
ニューヨークというと、自由の女神がすぐに頭に浮かぶ。
When it comes to New York, the Statue of Liberty immediately comes to mind. -
山田さんといえば、弁護士になったらしいよ。
Speaking of Yamada, I heard he became a lawyer. -
箱根といったら、やっぱり温泉でしょう。
If you mention Hakone, it's definitely hot springs.
Summary
- Structure: Noun + というと/といえば/といったら + associated thought/image
- Used to show natural associations or first impressions related to a topic
- All three variations (というと, といえば, といったら) have the same meaning with slight nuance differences