JLPT N1 grammar

〜とてmeaning and usage

Meaning

Even A; A is not an exception

How to form it

  • nounとて
  • verb (ta-form)とて

How it is used

Written and a little old-fashioned. ① After a noun, often a person: 'even A is no exception' (「彼とて」, 「専門家とて」). ② After the ta-form: 'even if A'. The everyday equivalents are 「だって」 and 「〜ても」.

Examples

  1. 明日は大事なイベントがあるんだ。 たとえ熱が出たとて、 休むわけにはいかない。

    There's a really important event tomorrow. So even if I get a fever, there's no way I can take the day off.

  2. 私とて人の子だ。失敗することもある。

    I'm only human too; I make mistakes as well.

  3. ベテランの職人とて、毎回うまくいくわけではない。

    Even an experienced craftsman doesn't get it right every time.