Today’s Question
日本といえば、____ですよ。
What would you put in the blank?

(Please note there is no right or wrong answer to this as long as it is a noun associated with Japan.)
Today’s Grammar Point: ~といえば、… / ~というと…
Connection
[noun] + といえば
[noun] + というと
Meaning
“~といえば” or “~というと” alone means “speaking of ~” or “when you talk of ~”
However, “~というと..だ/です” is an expression used to mention something typical associated with the noun ~, so it’s more like “(The word) ~ reminds me of ….” or “when you say ~, that means …”
Examples
- シドニーといえば、オペラハウスに行ったことがある。
When you talk of Sydney, I have been to the Opera House. - お寿司というとにぎり寿司を思い浮かべます。
If you talk about sushi, I would think of nigiri. - 京都というと金閣寺を思い出す。
Talk of Kyoto reminds me of Kinkakuji Temple. - 日本料理といえば、寿司ですね。
If you say “Japanese food”, I always think of “sushi.” - オーストラリアの動物といえば、カンガルーでしょう。
When you talk of an Australian animal, that would mean a kangaroo. - サッカーといえばマラドーナだろう。
The word “soccer” would remind everybody of “Maradona.” - アメリカでスポーツといえばアメフトですよ。
If you say “sports” in America, that means “American football”!
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