ときたら
🃏 Flashcard
ときたら
tokitara
Tap to reveal usage
when it comes to; concerning ~
N1
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
tokitara
Post ID
51404
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
when it comes to; concerning ~
📖 How to use it
Expresses strong negative feelings or exasperation about a person or thing when bringing them up as a topic.
Attaches to
Attach to a noun, or to a noun phrase ending in a noun (including な-adjective stems followed by なの, but typically directly to nouns). For verbs, attach to the plain past tense form ending in た (e.g., 言ったときたら).
ときたら is used when you want to complain or show irritation about someone or something. It sets up the topic and then follows with a critical or exasperated comment. It often appears in spoken Japanese, especially in informal or conversational settings, though it can also be used in writing for effect. The nuance is usually negative: you are not just mentioning the topic, you are venting about it. For example, if a colleague is always late, you might say 'あの同僚ときたら、いつも遅れてくる' to express your frustration. It is not used for neutral or positive topics. You cannot use it to simply say 'as for' in a neutral sense.
うちの父ときたら、休みの日は一日中ソファで寝てばかりいる。
Uchi no chichi tokitara, yasumi no hi wa ichinichijuu sofa de nete bakari iru.
My father, when it comes to him, spends all day sleeping on the sofa on his days off.
最近の若い人ときたら、礼儀がなっていないと思う。
Saikin no wakai hito tokitara, reigi ga natte inai to omou.
Young people these days, when it comes to them, I think they lack manners.
この店の料理ときたら、味が濃すぎて食べられたものじゃない。
Kono mise no ryouri tokitara, aji ga kosugite taberareta mono ja nai.
The food at this restaurant, when it comes to it, is so salty it's inedible.
Not というと or といえば
というと/といえば introduce a topic without negative emotion; ときたら specifically shows dissatisfaction or blame.
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Spoken and informal; common in complaints and casual conversation, less appropriate in formal writing or polite speech.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
ときたら
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat ときたら three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using ときたら. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
← Previous
とされる
is considered to; it is said that ~
Next →
ところを
although (it is a certain time/condition)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern ときたら mean?
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When it comes to; concerning ~
What JLPT level is ときたら?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use ときたら in a sentence?
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Attach ときたら (tokitara) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is ときたら formal or casual Japanese?
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ときたら is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember ときたら long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.