と言って (to tte)

Meaning & usage

これといって expresses that there is nothing especially worth mentioning, and it is almost always followed by a negative predicate like ない or なかった. It functions as a fixed adverbial phrase placed before nouns or verb phrases to downplay something, as in これといって欲しいものはない. The phrase is limited to これ, and using it with an affirmative ending changes the nuance or sounds unnatural.

Example sentences 4

1. これと言いって欲ほしいものはない。

   I don't really want anything in particular.

2. これと言って困ったことはない。

   I haven't had any particular problems.

3. これと言って自慢できる趣味はない。

   I have no hobby in particular worth bragging about.

4. これと言って直したい癖はない。

   There is no particular habit I want to fix.