This lesson is about two very similar expressions that translate as “whether it be…or…” Though the differences between the two are subtle, understanding the finer differences between the two will be all you’ll have to worry about.
・AといいBといいC: In addition to A and B, there are other things that become C.
At a basic understanding, the expression ～といい can be described in the above manner. Although everything else in question may not be 100% like “C,” several other related things will be implied by using this pattern. This can be used in positive and negative connotations. Typically, this expression is used primarily in the written language, but it would not be totally odd to use in the spoken language as well.
1. 香りといい、味といい、県内一の美味しさだと思う。
Whether it be its fragrance or its taste, I think that it is No. 1 in deliciousness in the prefecture.
2. 日本は、総理をはじめ、政治家といい官僚といいどうしようもないものばかりだ。
As for Japan, not only the Prime Minister, but also whether it be politicians or bureaucrats, it is full of just helpless individuals.
3. 吹雪の様子を見に戻ってきた夫は、頭といい、肩といい、雪まみれで、まるで雪達磨のような格好でした。
My husband, who returned from checking out the status of the blizzard, is covered in snow, whether it be his head or shoulders; it’s as if he’s a snowman.
4. 頭といい、性格といい、先生のご主人は素晴らしいです。
Whether it be his brains or his personality, your husband, Sensei, is a wonderful person.
5. 寿司といい、うどんといい、和食のなんでも好きです。
Whether it be sushi or udon, I like anything in Japanese cuisine.
Orthography Note: うどん may seldom be spelled as 饂飩.
6. 性能といい、デザインといい、このコーヒーメーカーが一番好きです。
Whether it be its performance or its design, I like this coffee maker the best.
7. 長谷川さんは、勉強といい、スポーツといい、いつでもトップなのよ。(Feminine)
Hasegawa, whether it be his studies or spots, is always at the top.
8. この街は、駅からのアクセスといい、便利さといい、住むにはちょうどいいところなんですね。
This town is the perfect place to live, whether it be because of its (ease of) access via
9. 言わずもがな、その部屋は家具といい、カーテンといい、絨毯といい、素敵すぎるもので溢れていた。
It goes without saying, the room was filled with absolutely amazing things, whether it was the future, the curtains, or the carpet.
10. 顔の色艶といい、声の張りといい、嶋村さん、本当にお元気になられましたね。
From your complexion to the spring in your voice, you’ve really gotten better, haven’t you, Shimamura-san?
11. 品質といい、値段といい、アメリカ産の豚肉に勝るものはない。
Whether it be its quality or its price, there isn’t anything that beats American pork.
12. 料理は、味といい量といい満足でした。
The cooking, whether it be the taste or the quantity, was satisfactory.
・AといわずBといわずC: Starting with A and B (and others), they all become C.
This pattern is almost identical to ～といい. The only difference is that it indicates that “A” and “B” are C 100%. If this absolute doesn’t hold in reality, then ～といわず becomes ungrammatical and you should use ～といい instead. This may be used in positive or negative contexts. However, it is markedly more subjective than ～といい.
13. 吹雪の様子を見に戻ってきた夫は、頭といわず、肩といわず、体全身が雪達磨のようでした。
My husband, who returned from checking out the status of the blizzard, whether it was his head or his shoulders, he looked like a snowman all over.
14. 彼は入浴中といわず、就寝中といわず、片時もスマホを手放さない。
Whether while bathing or sleeping, there is not even a moment he lets go over his smart phone.
15. 日本人は、子供といわず大人といわず、漫画やライトノベルなどをよく読む。
Japanese people, whether they be children or adults, frequently read stuff like manga and light novels.
16. 私はアライグマに手といわず足といわず矢鱈に噛まれて、病院に運ばれました。
I was indiscriminately bitten all over, my hands, feet, etc. by a raccoon and was taken to the hospital.
17. 私が通っていた中学校には、校長といわず、教頭といわず、まともに生徒のことを考えて仕事に取り組んでいる人は、ひとりもいなかった。
There wasn’t a single person at the middle school I went to, whether it was the principal or the vice principal, who got the job done by earnestly considered students.
18. 私は、牛肉といわず、豚肉といわず、お肉は全然食べません。
I, whether it be beef or pork, do not eat meat whatsoever.
19. 幸田さんは日本酒といわずビールといわず、酒であれば、何にでも目がない。
Whether it be sake or beer, if it’s alcohol, he has a weakness for it.
20. 目といい口元といい服装といい、本当にハンサムだと思わない？
Whether it be his eyes, his mouth, or his clothes, do you think he’s really handsome?
21. 髪といわず服といわず、とても煙草臭くなってしまい、自分は全然吸わないのに、纏わり付いた臭いで気持ち悪くなることもあります。
Whether it be my hair or clothes, I end up reeking of tobacco, and even though I don’t smoke at all, the odor that follows me is often revolting.
22. 子供たちは顔といわず髪といわず服といわず泥だらけで、白い歯を見せてにやにや笑っていた。
The children were covered in mud, whether it be their faces, hair, or clothes, and were snickering as they showed their white teeth.
23. ｛昼といわず夜といわず・昼夜を問わず｝、為替相場は時々刻々と｛動いている・変わっている｝。
The exchange rate moves/changes all day and all night and at every moment.
24. 手といわず足といわず、体じゅう蚊に刺された。
Not just my hands and feet, but I was bitten by mosquitoes all over my body.
25. 彼は、朝といわず、夜といわず、暇さえあればマンガを読んでばかりいるみたいだ。
Not just in the morning and in the evening, but he reads comics whenever he has time.