[Core Image] Are you just rote-memorizing "when it comes to"? Master the "moment the topic suddenly shifts" behind the phrase
Hello!
I'm Kei, and I have a history of failing at rote memorization of English many times.
A phrase that is used very frequently in long English texts and everyday native conversation is when it comes to.
In schools and reference books, it is taught as:
when it comes to
speaking of
It is taught as these.
For example, phrases like "When it comes to music, he is an expert."
But why does "when it comes to" mean "when it comes to"? Honestly, trying to rote-memorize it just as text because it's a "long idiom" is
a waste of time.
This time, let's quickly master the core of this phrase using a "hand-drawn image" that pops into your head. Once you grasp the image, you'll never forget it for the rest of your life!
■ Understand it in 15 seconds! The "mechanism" behind the words
First, let's break down the native thought process behind this expression.
when = at the time of
it = the topic, the situation ("that thing" whose specific content isn't decided yet)
comes to ~ = arrives at the place of ~, reaches
In other words, a literal translation is "(while small talk and various themes are flowing) when that topic arrives exactly at the place of a specific theme (~)."
You aren't just vaguely stating an opinion.
It's an image of the stage of the conversation shifting—"we were talking about various things, but the moment the spotlight hits a specific theme, his attitude or the situation changes completely."
■ Burn it into your brain with a hand-drawn image
Instead of looking at the text, throw this picture into your head.
Various topics (It) flow by.
That topic arrives (comes) precisely at the place of a specific theme (to ~).
At that moment, a switch flips, saying, "Alright, leave that topic to me!".
This is the core image at the heart of when it comes to. The logic that "the topic arrives at that place = when it comes to that"—doesn't it excite you, like camera work in a movie?
■ "3 Realistic Scenes" often used in daily life
With this "image of the topic switch flipping," you can perfectly grasp the nuance of any conversation.
① When you suddenly become professional in a specific field
When it comes to cooking, nobody can beat her.
(When it comes to cooking, no one can beat her.)
It's the feeling that even though she is usually laid-back, the moment the topic arrives at "cooking," her professional switch flips on.
② When you suddenly become timid (or cautious) about a specific thing
When it comes to romance, he is very shy.
(When it comes to romance, he suddenly gets shy.)
You can express the gap where, even though he is good at work or sports, the moment the topic pin lands on "romance," he suddenly blushes and gets bashful.
③ When the conversation reaches realistic issues like "money"
When it comes to money, everyone gets serious.
(When it comes to money, everyone gets serious, right?)
Even though you were joking around just a moment ago, the moment the conversation enters the area of "money (reality)," the atmosphere in the room tightens up, which is conveyed realistically.
■ The decisive difference from the similar "About"
When you hear "about," you might think of "about." But the distinction is clear.
about = Simply indicates a range, meaning "regarding" (flat, with no emotional ups and downs).
when it comes to = "Alright, that topic has arrived!" "If it's that theme, let me have my say!" (A nuance of strong emphasis where focus is placed on a specific topic!)
If it's just an introduction to a theme, "about" is sufficient, but when you want to intentionally draw the topic in and add passion, saying "Setting other things aside, regarding this matter!", that is when you absolutely must use when it comes to.
■ [Brain Test] Has this image taken root?
Here is just one question to test if this sensation has been installed in your brain.
A friend who is usually quiet suddenly started speaking rapidly and passionately the moment the topic of their favorite "anime" came up.
If you were to say, "When it comes to anime, he gets really passionate!", what would go in the parentheses?
( ) it comes to anime, he gets really passionate.
In your mind, did you picture the conversation pin clicking into the "anime" area and your friend's eyes lighting up?
・
・
・
The answer is... When!
When it comes to anime, he gets really passionate.
If the words come to you along with the mental image of "the moment the topic arrives there," rather than just rote memorization of letters, you have achieved a total victory! Your sense of English has definitely been updated compared to just a few minutes ago.
■ Finally: Why not turn your timeline into a "drawer of images"?
English is not a grueling task of memorizing one-to-one Japanese translations. If you grasp the core image, such as the "movement of a topic clicking into place" behind the words, anyone can learn to speak with the same intuition as a native speaker.
If you thought, "Today's illustration was easy to understand!" or "The image of the stage shifting is interesting!", please click the [Like (heart mark)] at the bottom of the screen to send a "save" signal to your brain! (Your likes are a huge driving force for writing the next article!)
Moving forward, to reduce the number of people exhausted by rote-memorization English, I will continue to post core images that you can use from the day you read them, complete with diagrams.
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Thank you for reading until the end!
See you in the next image!