translation of 「あえて言えば、....」


What does the phrase 「あえて言{い}えば」 mean? What are a few example sentences?

Is the following usage correct:  
「好きな日本料理{にほんりょうり}はあんまりないが、 **あえて言えば** 納豆{なっとう}ですね。」

"I don't really like Japanese food, but if I had to mention something I would
say natto."




「あえて言えば」is often used to mean a kind of weak opinions. Your sentence looks
totally natural to native speakers (including me).

I'll list some example sentences:

  * あなたの提案で概ね問題ないが、あえて言えば予算が気になる。(Your proposal looks good as a whole, but I have little worry about its cost.)
  * あえて言うほどでもありませんが、家に帰ったら手は洗った方がいい。 (This may be a needless concern, but I think you should wash your hands when you go back home.)




「あえて言えば」is often used to mean a kind of weak opinions. Your sentence looks
totally natural to native speakers (including me).

I'll list some example sentences:

  * あなたの提案で概ね問題ないが、あえて言えば予算が気になる。(Your proposal looks good as a whole, but I have little worry about its cost.)
  * あえて言うほどでもありませんが、家に帰ったら手は洗った方がいい。 (This may be a needless concern, but I think you should wash your hands when you go back home.)

