〜ときたら (~to kitara) — speaking of ~ (complaint)

Name someone or something close to you and let the complaint pour out — 'don't even get me started on ~!' — in everyday speech.

Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)

N + ときたら

Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)

When to use it

After work you phone a friend: 'Don't get me started on my roommate — never washes a dish, games all night!'
The moment you name him, the irritation spills out: 「ルームメイトときたら…」.
It is spoken language — not for reports or formal speeches.

Meaning

Hear 「〜ときたら」and the listener knows something bad is coming.
What follows is always dissatisfaction, criticism or annoyance: 〜ばかりで…・全然〜ない・困ったものだ.

How to attach

Straight after a noun — usually something close to you: family, a neighbour, your boss, the things in your room: うちの息子ときたら

Versus what you know

N2「〜といえば・といったら」also raises a topic — 「夏といえば花火」— but it is neutral, no complaint.

Watch out

No wish, request or invitation can follow: you cannot say 「田中さんときたら、一緒に行きましょう」.

Examples (उदाहरणहरू)

うちの息子ときたら、ゲームばかりして全然勉強しない。

うちのむすこときたら、ゲームばかりしてぜんぜんべんきょうしない。

Don't get me started on my son — all he does is play games; he never studies.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) うちの息子 = my son (N) → attach 「ときたら」 directly = don't even get me started on my son → then a parent's complaint: ゲームばかりして全然勉強しない = only games, zero studying.

隣の部屋の人ときたら、毎晩遅くまで大声で電話している。

となりのへやのひとときたら、まいばんおそくまでおおごえででんわしている。

Don't get me started on the person in the next room — they're on the phone, loudly, until late every night.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 隣の部屋の人 = the person in the next room (N) → 「ときたら」 = don't even get me started on them → then something annoying: 毎晩遅くまで大声で電話している = loud phone calls till late every night.

このアパートのエアコンときたら、夏になるとすぐ止まってしまう。

このアパートのエアコンときたら、なつになるとすぐとまってしまう。

And this apartment's air conditioner — as soon as summer comes, it just stops.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) このアパートのエアコン = this apartment's air conditioner (N — it doesn't have to be a person) → 「ときたら」 → then the complaint: 夏になるとすぐ止まってしまう = it stops right away when summer comes (〜てしまう shows the annoyance).

Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)

Question: 1/3

「うちの課長＿＿＿、自分のミスをいつも部下のせいにする。」— fill the blank.

💡 Hint: Someone close + a complaint.