Last time, you learned how to express difficulty and possibility, e.g. “iPhoneは使いやすい (iPhones are easy to use),” and “完璧な翻訳はありえない (Perfect translations cannot exist).” In Japanese, the concept of topics is really important to make natural expressions. In this lesson, we would like to introduce topic-related expressions.
Explanation for the Usage of というのは, といえば, and だが
In general, topics are set by the topic particle は. However, some phrases virtually work to make a topic just like は. And depending on the context, your speech will sound more natural if you utilize such expressions. Let’s learn how they work.
…というのは: Introducing Things Listeners Don’t Know
| カタカナというのは | 外来語に使う文字のこと（だ / です） |
| Topic / Subject | Predicate |
| Katakana are characters that [we] use for loanwords. | |
This is a combination among NounというNoun, the particle の (*functions as a replacement noun), and the topic particle は. If we reword the above example, it would be like “カタカナという文字は.” You can consider …というのは as a sentence pattern and use it to introduce things listeners don’t know. With this usage, people customarily use generic nouns like こと, もの, and ところ.
| 神社というのは日本人がお祈りをするところ（だ / です）。 Shrines are a place where Japanese people pray. |
| 寿司というのはごはんに魚を乗せたもの（だ / です）。 Sushi is something that has fish placed on top of rice. |
| 係長というのは組織の役職のこと（だ / です）。 Kakaricho is a position in organizations. |
You can abbreviate というのは to とは. The meaning will remain the same.
| 神社とは日本人がお祈りをするところ（だ / です）。 |
| 寿司とはごはんに魚を乗せたもの（だ / です）。 |
| 係長とは組織の役職のこと（だ / です）。 |
If you use というのは to remind listeners of something, you cannot abbreviate というのは. This is often used to explain intercultural concepts.
| 勝負というのは強い者が勝つとは限らないもの（だ / です）。 As for games, the strong don't always win. |
| 優しさというのは相手の気持ちを考えること（だ / です）。 Kindness is thinking of the feelings of other people. |
Note: You cannot use というのは to explain characteristics or attributes. If that is the case, you should just use the topic particle は.
| 日本語は語順が比較的に自由（だ / です）。 In Japanese, word order is relatively free. |
| キムチは少し辛い（です）。 Kimuchi is a little spicy. |
…といえば (という + Conditionals): Change Topics
| 日本のアニメといえば | ジブリが | 人気（だ / です）ね |
| Topic | Subject | Predicate |
| As for Japanese animation, Ghibli is popular, isn’t it? *Said when you respond to “I want to work for an animation firm in Japan.” |
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The function is to pick up a word or a phrase from prior conversation and set it as a new topic, which is similar to なら (contextual conditions). Since …といえば consists of という and ば-form, you can reword it with other conditional form like というと and といったら.
| ジブリというと、監督の宮崎と高畑が有名（だ / です）ね。 As for Ghibli, the directors Miyazaki and Takahata are famous, aren’t they? |
| 宮崎といったら、世界的に有名な監督（だ / です）よ。 As for Miyazaki, he is a famous director worldwide. |
| 監督といえば、僕もアニメの監督を目指していたん（だ / です）。 As for directors, I used to aim to be a director for animation, too. |
Only というと has a special function. If you attach は to it, you can pick up a word or a phrase while showing contrast.
| 宮崎は世界的に有名な監督だ。しかし、高畑はというと世界ではあまり知られていない。 Miyazaki is a famous director worldwide. However, as for Takahata, he is not known throughout the world very much. |
だが: Preliminary Remarks
| 来週の旅行だが | 集合時間が | 変わった / 変わりました |
| Topic | Subject | Verb |
| As for the trip next week, the meeting time changed. | ||
This is utilization of the functions of が, けど, けれど, and けれども. By using the function of preliminary remarks with nouns, you can virtually make it a topic. Depending on formality, please choose one of the four words.
| 明日だけど、私は学校を休むよ。 As for tomorrow, I will be absent from school. |
| 去年のことですけれど、トヨタでストライキがありました。 As for things [that happened] last year, there was a strike at Toyota. |
| 日本の政治ですけれども、来月に選挙があるそうですね。 As for politics in Japan, [I heard] there will be an election next month. |
You add ということ when you quote what someone said and make it a topic.
| A. 申し込みの締め切りは明日までです。 The deadline for applications is tomorrow. |
| B. 締め切りが明日までということですが、明日の何時ですか？ As you said the deadline is tomorrow, but what time tomorrow? |
Summary
- ...というのは is used to introduce things listeners don’t know.
- “という + Conditionals” is used to change topics.
- が, けど, けれど, and けれども can virtually set a topic by using the function of preliminary remarks.
Now, you know how to set topics by not using the topic particle は. Communication in Japanese often relies on the context since omitting subjects and objects are very common. Because of that, you should be able to clearly make topics in a proper way. No. 2 and No. 3 in the summary are very useful tips in conversation. Next, you will learn how to express limit.
