Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
Noun といい Noun といい (〜toii〜toii)

Noun といい Noun といい (〜toii〜toii)

Short explanation:

Used to express 'both A and B'; 'whether it's A or B'; 'not to mention A and also B'.

Formation:

Noun1 + といい + Noun2 + といい + Comment

Examples:

日本の食べ物といい観光地といい、すべてが素晴らしいです。
Nihon no tabemono to ii kankouchi to ii, subete ga subarashii desu.
Both Japanese food and tourist spots are all wonderful.
彼の優しさといい、体力といい、彼は理想的なパートナーだ。
Kare no yasashisa to ii, tairyoku to ii, kare wa risouteki na paatonaa da.
Whether it's his kindness or stamina, he is an ideal partner.
この町の映画館といい、公園といい、老若男女が楽しめる。
Kono machi no eigakan to ii, kouen to ii, roujaku nannin ga tanoshimeru.
Not to mention the movie theaters and parks in this town, they are enjoyable for all ages.
彼の歌唱力といい、ダンスのスキルといい、完璧だ。
Kare no kashou ryoku to ii, dansu no sukiru to ii, kanpeki da.
Both his singing ability and his dance skills are perfect.

Long explanation:

This grammar structure is used to provide two examples or two situations to demonstrate a certain characteristic or situation. It's a way of mentioning two items of the same theme to generalize or emphasize something applicable to them both. In English, it can be understood as 'both A and B', 'whether it's A or B', or 'not to mention A and also B'.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: Noun といい Noun といい (〜toii〜toii)

Japanese Grammar Point: Noun といい Noun といい (〜toii〜toii)

Noun といい Noun といい (〜といい〜といい)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar pattern Noun といい Noun といい (〜といい〜といい). This structure is used to emphasize that multiple examples share a similar quality or attribute. It is a useful way to highlight characteristics by listing examples, often leading to an evaluative comment.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The grammar pattern Noun といい Noun といい is used to:

  • Emphasize qualities or characteristics by listing multiple examples.
  • Indicate that both examples share the same attribute or lead to the same conclusion.
  • Often translates to "Whether it's A or B," "Both A and B," or "In terms of A and B."

Structure

Formation Diagram:

Noun1 といい Noun2 といい、[Evaluation/Comment]
  • Noun1 and Noun2: Two nouns that exemplify the shared quality.
  • といい: A connector meaning "whether it's" or "both."
  • [Evaluation/Comment]: The speaker's assessment based on the examples. Example:
料理 といい サービス といい、あのレストランは素晴らしい。
Ryōri to ii sābisu to ii, ano resutoran wa subarashii.
  • Whether it's the food or the service, that restaurant is excellent.

Visual Aid

Noun1 といい Noun2 といい Evaluation/Comment
料理 といい サービス といい あのレストランは素晴らしい。

3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Patterns

  • Noun や Noun
    • Meaning: Lists multiple nouns, often implying "and" or "such as."
    • Example: 本や雑誌を買いました。(I bought books and magazines.)
  • Noun にしても Noun にしても
    • Meaning: Emphasizes that regardless of the examples, the same conclusion applies.
    • Example: 子供にしても大人にしても、このゲームは楽しめる。(Whether it's children or adults, everyone can enjoy this game.)

Differences

  • といい〜といい
    • Focuses on making an evaluative comment based on two examples sharing a quality.
    • Used for highlighting and emphasizing.
    • Simply lists items without emphasis on shared qualities or evaluation.
  • にしても〜にしても
    • Stresses that the conclusion is the same no matter which example is considered.

4. Examples in Context

Example Sentences

Formal Speech

  1. デザイン といい 機能 といい、このスマートフォンは最高です。
    • Dezain to ii kinō to ii, kono sumātofon wa saikō desu.
    • Whether it's the design or the functionality, this smartphone is the best.
  2. 立地 といい 価格 といい、このマンションは魅力的です。
    • Ritchi to ii kakaku to ii, kono manshon wa miryokuteki desu.
    • In terms of location and price, this apartment is attractive.

Informal Speech

  1. 映画 といい 音楽 といい、彼の趣味は面白いね。
    • Eiga to ii ongaku to ii, kare no shumi wa omoshiroi ne.
    • Both his taste in movies and music are interesting, aren't they?
  2. カラー といい スタイル といい、その服は君にぴったりだよ。
    • Karā to ii sutairu to ii, sono fuku wa kimi ni pittari da yo.
    • Whether it's the color or the style, those clothes suit you perfectly.

Written Context

  1. 景色 といい 空気 といい、この山は素晴らしい。
    • Keshiki to ii kūki to ii, kono yama wa subarashii.
    • In terms of scenery and air, this mountain is wonderful.

Spoken Context

  1. といい 見た目 といい、この料理は最高だ。
    • Aji to ii mitame to ii, kono ryōri wa saikō da.
    • Whether it's the taste or appearance, this dish is fantastic.

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese culture, it is common to express appreciation or make evaluations by highlighting multiple aspects of a subject. The といい〜といい pattern allows speakers to gracefully acknowledge various qualities, reflecting a holistic view that values harmony and completeness.

Politeness Levels

  • The pattern itself is neutral.
  • Adjust formality with sentence endings:
    • Formal: です・ます forms.
    • Informal: Plain form endings like だ・ね・よ.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • といい といい、彼は動物が大好きだ。
    • Neko to ii inu to ii, kare wa dōbutsu ga daisuki da.
    • Whether it's cats or dogs, he loves animals. This structure is often used to stress the speaker's point emphatically.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  • Mistake: Using verbs instead of nouns.
    • Incorrect: 食べるといい飲むといい、この店は楽しい。
    • Correct: 食事といい飲み物といい、この店は楽しい。
    • Explanation: といい connects nouns, not verbs.
  • Mistake: Mixing unrelated nouns.
    • Incorrect: 天気といい財布といい、今日は最悪だ。
    • Explanation: The nouns should share a logical connection to support the evaluation.

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Device: Remember "A といい B といい..." as "Whether it's A or B..."
  • Practice: Create sentences by choosing two related nouns and making an evaluative comment.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • Noun といい Noun といい emphasizes shared qualities of two examples.
  • It is used to make an evaluative comment based on those examples.
  • Translates to "Whether it's A or B," highlighting both aspects equally.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. What does the grammar pattern Noun といい Noun といい express?
    • Answer: It emphasizes that multiple examples share a similar quality or attribute, leading to an evaluative comment.
  2. Translate the following sentence: スポーツ といい 勉強 といい、彼は優秀だ。
    • Supōtsu to ii benkyō to ii, kare wa yūshū da.
    • Answer: Whether it's sports or academics, he is excellent.
  3. Is it appropriate to use verbs directly with といい in this grammar pattern?
    • Answer: No, といい connects nouns, not verbs.

Feel free to practice by creating your own sentences using Noun といい Noun といい to describe things around you!

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