と来たら ②
For …(is the best), When it comes to, Concerning
Structure
Explanation
In its more direct application, ときたら is a grammatical structure used to mean ‘speaking of (A)’ or ‘as for (A)’. It is formed from the case-marking particle と and the conditional form of the verb 来る, which is 来たら. This usage should be distinguished from the critical nuance of ときたら, which can mean ‘that darn (A)’ when expressing frustration.
ときたら attaches to a word or phrase to single it out as the main topic of conversation. What follows is typically the speaker’s immediate association or gut reaction to that topic. In essence, (A) sets the stage, and (B) delivers the speaker’s primary thought about it.
- 休みときたら、やっぱり家でゴロゴロするのが一番ですよ！When you talk about a day off, doing nothing at home is absolutely the best!
- 旅行ときたら、お土産でしょう。When you go on a trip, you have to get souvenirs, don't you?
- AIときたら、これからの社会を大きく変えるのは間違いないでしょう。As for AI, there's no question it's going to significantly change our future society.
For the person speaking, topic (A) often triggers a powerful and immediate association with (B). This connection might also be something the speaker assumes is obvious or goes without saying. For this reason, the statement in part (B) is frequently paired with adverbs like やっぱり or やはり, which mean ‘as expected’ or ‘sure enough’.
Examples
「また部長に叱られたんだ。」
「あの仕事の遅さときたら、叱られても仕方ないよ。」
'I got scolded by the department manager again.'
'Considering how slow you are at your job, it's no wonder you got scolded.'
映画ときたらやっぱりポップコーンがないとね！
When it comes to movies, you've just got to have popcorn, right?
毎晩ゲームばかりしているときたら、成績が悪くなるのも無理はない。
When you do nothing but play video games every night, it's no wonder your grades get worse.
雨の日ときたら、やっぱり家で読書に限るね。
For a rainy day, as expected, there's nothing better than reading at home, right?
あのレストランの行列ときたら、美味しくないはずがない。
Judging by the long line at that restaurant, there's no way the food isn't delicious.
風呂上がりときたらやっぱり冷たいビールしか無いでしょう。
For after a bath, as you'd expect, nothing hits the spot like a cold beer, right?
日本食ときたら、絶対に寿司でしょ！
When it comes to Japanese food, it’s gotta be sushi, hands down!
ラーメンときたら、駅前のあの店のに限るよ。
When it comes to ramen, nothing beats the one from that shop in front of the station.
スマホときたら、あの有名なリンゴのマークの会社だ。
When it comes to smartphones, it’s gotta be that famous company with the apple logo.
休日の行き先ときたら海だと思っていたが、彼女にとっては山らしい。
I thought that the beach was the best place to go when it comes to holiday destinations, but for her, it’s apparently the mountains.
高級レストランときたらここだと言う彼は、グルメに違いない。
Since he says this is the place to go when it comes to high-end restaurants, there is no mistaking that he is a foodie.
チームのリーダーときたら、鈴木さんをおいて他にはいないでしょう。
When it comes to a leader for the team, there is nobody better than Ms. Suzuki.
京都へ行くんだって？京都ときたら、地元に詳しい山田さんに聞くのが一番だよ。
You're going to Kyoto? When it comes to Kyoto, you should ask Mr. Yamada; he knows the local area inside and out.