（なぜ・どこ・だれ・いつ・なに）かというと〜

About

The phrase ～かというと is a combination of the か question marker + the と quote marker + いう "to say", and the と conditional marker.

～かというと's main usage is to place additional emphasis on the explanation for something, or, sometimes, to deliberately keep the listener in suspense by delaying a given explanation.

～かというと has many possible translations depending on context. Some possibilities are "If I were to say.../If I had to pick/As for...".

For this usage, ～かというと must be paired with a question word:

E.g. 違ちがいは何なにかと言うと、使つかわれている材料ざいりょうです。 "If I was to say what the difference was, it would be the materials used."

E.g. 成功せいこうする人ひとは何なにが違ちがうかというと、すぐに行動こうどうをするということだ。 "As for what is different about successful people, it's that they take action right away."

In casual contexts, 「かというと」 can be contracted to 「かっていうと」.

E.g. お昼ひるはいつ食たべるかって言うと、3限げんと4限よげんの間あいだだ。 "If I was to say when we eat lunch, it's between third and fourth period."

Alternative conditional markers can be used in place of 「と」to form 「かといえば・かといったら」.

E.g. なぜこうなったかといえば、マイクが確認かくにんしなかったからだ。 "As for why things went this way, it's because Mike didn't check."

Summary

• 

  ～かというと's main usage is to place additional emphasis on the explanation for something, or, sometimes, to deliberately keep the listener in suspense by delaying a given explanation

• 

  ～かというと has many possible translations depending on context ("If I were to say.../If I had to pick/As for...")

• 

  For this usage, ～かというと must be paired with a question word

• 

  In casual contexts, 「かというと」 can be contracted to 「かっていうと」

• 

  Alternative conditional markers can be used in place of 「と」to form 「かといえば・かといったら」