かと言うと (kato uto)

Meaning & usage

かと言うと sets up a contrast between what one might expect or ask and what is actually the case. It commonly appears in the set phrases 何かと言うと (for anything and everything) and どちらかと言うと (if I had to choose, rather), which attach to question words or choice expressions.

Example sentences 6

1. 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.

2. あいつは何かと言うと知ったかぶりをする。

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

3. どちらかと言うと行きたくない。

   I would rather not go.

4. 「週末にベルリンに小旅行に行くのはどう？」「それもよさそうだけど、どちらかと言うと別の場所に行きたいな」

   "How about a little trip to Berlin at the weekend?" "A trip would be nice, but I'd prefer to go somewhere else."

5. 彼の容態はどちらかと言うと朝方より悪くなっていた。

   His condition was, if anything, worse than in the morning.

6. 私はどうかと言うと、その計画に異存はない。

   So far as I am concerned, I have no objection to the plan.