かと言うと ①
Why? Well..., Why? Because..., If you ask me why..., The reason why is..., It is because...
Structure
Phrase (A)。どうして(1) + かというと(2) + Phrase (B) + からだ(3)
どうして(1) + Verb + （の） + かというと(2)
(1) なぜ
(2) かといえば
(3) のだ、ためだ
Explanation
The phrase ～かというと serves two main purposes. One is to introduce a reason in response to question words like なぜ or どうして, while the other specifies a particular item from a group (who, what, where, etc.). This lesson will cover the first usage. ～かというと is formed by combining the question marker case marking particle か, the quoting case marking particleと, the う - Verb 言う (to say), and the conditional case marking particle と.
While this construction may seem complex, its literal meaning can be understood as 'if one were to ask (A)', which is then followed by the speaker's explanation or reason in (B).
- どうして医者になりたいかというと、たくさんの人を助けたいからです。The reason why I want to become a doctor is because I want to help a lot of people.
- なぜこのレストランはこんなに人気があるかというと、料理が美味しくて値段も安いからです。The reason why this restaurant is so popular is because the food is delicious and the prices are low.
Since ～かというと is used to introduce an explanation, it is very common to see から (because) at the end of the sentence, which reinforces the fact that a reason is being provided.
Caution
Similar to other grammar patterns that express a conditional 'if', the particle と can be replaced by ば or occasionally たら. Of these, たら is much less common than either と or ば.
- どうして休日でも早く起きるかと言えば、朝の静かな時間が好きだからです。If you ask me why I wake up early even on days off, it is because I enjoy the quiet morning hours.
- なぜこの本を買ったかといったら、表紙のデザインがとても気に入ったからです。If you ask why I bought this book, it is because I really fell in love with the cover design.
Examples
どうして彼がいつも遅刻するのかというと、朝起きるのが苦手だからです。
If you ask me why he's always late, it's because he's not good at waking up in the morning.
なぜこのケーキを買ってきたかっていうと、今日が君の誕生日だったのを思い出したんだ。
If you want to know why I bought this cake, it's because I remembered today was your birthday.
最近、よく運動するようにしている。なぜかというと、医者に少し痩せるように言われたからだ。
Lately, I've been trying to exercise a lot. The reason why is because the doctor told me I should lose a little weight.
どうしてあのレストランが人気なのかといえば、値段が安い上に、とても美味しいからです。
If you ask why that restaurant is so popular, it's because on top of being cheap, it's also very delicious.
このドアは自動で閉まります。なぜかというと、火事の時に煙が広がるのを防ぐためです。
This door closes automatically. The reason for this is to prevent smoke from spreading in the event of a fire.
Ａ：「なんで日本語の勉強を始めたの？」
Ｂ：「どうしてかというと、日本のゲームが好きだからです。」
A: 'Why did you start studying Japanese?'
B: 'If you're asking why, it's because I like Japanese games.'
なぜ私がこの仕事を選んだかというと、人々の生活を助けることができるからです。
The reason I chose this job is because I can help people with their lives.
どうしてこの本がおすすめかというと、ストーリーが面白いだけでなく、新しい単語をたくさん学べるからです。
If you ask me why I recommend this book, it's because not only is the story interesting, but you can also learn a lot of new vocabulary.
私は冬が好きだ。なぜかというと、こたつでみかんを食べるのが最高だからです。
I love winter. Why, you ask? Because eating oranges under the kotatsu is the best.
なぜ早起きが大切なのかというと、朝の時間は最も集中できるからだ。
The reason why waking up early is important is because the morning hours are when you can concentrate the most.
なぜこの計画に反対なのかというと、リスクが高すぎるからです。それだけです。
If you ask me why I'm against this plan, it is because the risk is too high. That's the only reason.
この店ではもう食事しないつもりだ。どうしてかというと、サービスは悪いし、料理も美味しくないから。
I'm not planning on eating at this restaurant anymore. Why? Because the service is bad and the food isn't good either.