▎說到, shuōdào, talking of

 

Function When a talk-verb combines with the particle 到, the pattern introduces a topic, ‘speaking of ...’, ‘talking of...’.

1 說到台灣小吃，大家都會想起臭豆腐來。

Shuōdào Táiwān xiǎochī, dàjiā dōu huì xiǎngqǐ chòudòufu lái.

When Taiwanese light repasts are mentioned, people will think of stinky tofu, i.e., stinky tofu certainly comes to people’s mind.

2 一談到旅行，我馬上想起墾丁的太陽。

Yì tándào lǚxíng, wǒ mǎshàng xiǎngqǐ Kěndīng de tàiyáng.

Whenever traveling is mentioned, I immediately think of the sun in Kenting.

3 說到台灣有名的飲料，外國學生都認為是珍珠奶茶。

Shuōdào Táiwān yǒumíng de yǐnliào, wàiguó xuéshēng dōu rènwéi shì zhēnzhū nǎichá.

Speaking of Taiwanese famous drinks, foreign students all think it is pearl milk tea.

4 談到怎麼教小孩，每個父母都有說不完的話。

Tándào zěnme jiāo xiǎohái, měi ge fùmǔ dōu yǒu shuōbùwán de huà.

(When the topic of) how to teach children comes up, every parent can talk endlessly.

 

Usage 說到 or 談到 often appear at the very beginning of the sentence to introduce the topic.

1 A：我喜歡去旅行，一放暑假就要去。

Wǒ xǐhuān qù lǚxíng, yí fàng shǔjià jiù yào qù.

I like to travel. As soon as summer vacation starts, I’ll be going.

B：說到放假，我們還有多久才放假？

Shuōdào fàngjià, wǒmen hái yǒu duōjiǔ cái fàngjià?

Speaking of vacation, how long is it before the next break?

2 談到準備結婚的事，他有很多抱怨。

Tándào zhǔnbèi jiéhūn de shì, tā yǒu hěnduō bàoyuàn.

When talk turns to wedding preparations, he has a lot of complaints.