かと言うと (kato uto)

Meaning & usage

かと言うと follows a question in plain form to raise the issue of whether something is true, then gives an answer that often softens or corrects an assumption. It attaches to the plain form of verbs and i-adjectives, and to the stem of nouns and na-adjectives, as in 走るかと言うと, 高いかと言うと, or 暇かと言うと. The second half commonly uses そうでもない, わけではない, or 実は to qualify the answer.

Example sentences 5

1. 毎日まいにち走はしっているかと言いうと、そうでもない。

   If you ask whether I run every day, not really.

2. 嫌いかと言うと、そういうわけではない。

   If you ask if I dislike it, it's not like that.

3. 暇かと言うと、実は今週は忙しい。

   If you ask whether I'm free, I'm actually busy this week.

4. できるかと言うと、まだ自信がない。

   If you ask whether I can do it, I don't have confidence yet.

5. 便利かと言うと、少し問題がある。

   If you ask whether it's convenient, there are some problems.