と言うと

Reading

Kana: というと

Romaji: toiuto

Definitions

conj

1

if one were to speak of ..., then certainly; if it were the case that ..., then certainly; if it were a ..., then certainly; phrase used to indicate the inevitability of what follows it (based on what precedes it)

Note: word usually written using kana alone

See also: 言う 言う

2

so that means (when used in sentence-initial position)

Kanji

言

Readings: ゲン、 ゴン、 い.う、 こと

Meanings: say, word

Example Sentences

どちらかと言(い)うと行(い)きたくない。

➥I would rather not go.

私(わたし)の好(この)みはどちらかというと牛肉(ぎゅうにく)ですね。

➥I have a predilection for beef.

先生(せんせい)は何(なに)かと言(い)うと人(ひと)のことに口出(くちだ)しする。

➥The teacher pokes his nose into everything.

広島(ひろしま)に口和(くちわ)というところがあります。

➥There's a place called Kuchiwa in Hiroshima.

あいつは何(なに)かと言(い)うと知(し)ったかぶりをする。

➥Regardless of the subject, he pretends to know all about it.

どちらかというと彼(かれ)は物事(ものごと)を楽観(らっかん)する方(ほう)だ。

➥He is rather optimistic.