Noun といい Noun といい

When to use

Formal, literary - one of several near-interchangeable "whether A or B" constructions; stylistic choice more than a formality ladder.

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'.

• 日本にほんの食たべ物ものといい観光地かんこうちといい、すべてが素晴すばらしいです。

  Both Japanese food and tourist spots are all wonderful.

  Nihon no tabemono to ii kankouchi to ii, subete ga subarashii desu.

• 彼かの優やさしさといい、体力たいりょくといい、彼かれは理想的りそうてきなパートナーだ。

  Whether it's his kindness or stamina, he is an ideal partner.

  Kare no yasashisa to ii, tairyoku to ii, kare wa risouteki na paatonaa da.

• この町まちの映画館えいがかんといい、公園こうえんといい、老若男女ろうにゃくなんにょが楽しめる。

  Not to mention the movie theaters and parks in this town, they are enjoyable for all ages.

  Kono machi no eigakan to ii, kouen to ii, rounyakunan'nyo ga tanoshimeru.

• 彼かの歌唱かしょう力ちからといい、ダンスのスキルといい、完璧かんぺきだ。

  Both his singing ability and his dance skills are perfect.

  Kare no kashou ryoku to ii, dansu no sukiru to ii, kanpeki da.

Regardless (Whether A Or B)

• A うと B うとA uto B utoN1Shows that the speaker is indifferent to both conditions…
• A かれ B かれA kare B kareN1Expresses 'whether A or B'; both situations are included.
• A であれ B であれA deare B deareN1Indicates the same statement applies to both A and B…
• A とも B ともA tomo B tomoN1Expresses two possibilities; 'either A or B', 'whether A…
• A あるいは BA aruiwa BN2Indicates alternatives; 'A or B', 'either A or B'.
• Noun なり Noun なりA nari B nariN1Lists alternatives of the same kind; 'either A or B', 'A…
• A にしろ B にしろA nishiro B nishiroN1Means 'whether it is A or B'; 'regardless of A or B'.
• A にせよ B にせよA ni seyo B ni seyoN1Either A or B; Regardless of whether it's A or B.
• A につけ B につけA ni tsuke B ni tsukeN1Expresses 'whether... or...', 'both... and...', 'in either…
• Noun といわず Noun といわずA to iwazu B to iwazuN1Expresses 'both A and B' or 'be it A or B'; applies to…
• ～にしろ～にしろ〜ni shiro 〜ni shiroN2Expresses 'either way', 'in any case', 'be it...', used…
• A うが B うがA uga B ugaN1Expresses the idea of 'no matter how... or', 'even if...…

Compare when to use each