even; even if/though ~ (とて) – Japanese Grammar とて (tote)

Q: What JLPT level is とて?

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Q: How do you use とて in a sentence?

Attach とて to the appropriate verb or noun form. Even; even if/though ~

Q: Is とて formal or casual Japanese?

とて is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

とて

N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

tote

even; even if/though ~

もさることながら mo saru koto nagara ことこの上ない / この上ない / この上なく koto kono ue nai / kono ue nai / kono ue naku そびれる sobireru となると / となれば to naru to / to nareba をいいことに o ii koto ni ともすれば tomo sureba くらいのものだ kurai no mono da 尽くす tsukusu とは towa といわず〜といわず to iwazu~to iwazu という to iu そばから soba kara ても差し支えない temo sashitsukaenai からある / からする/ からの kara aru / kara suru / kara no に〜を重ねて ni~o kasanete であれ〜であれ de are~de are にかかっている ni kakatteiru に照らして ni terashite に至る / に至った ni itaru / ni itatta まじき majiki もさることながら mo saru koto nagara ことこの上ない / この上ない / この上なく koto kono ue nai / kono ue nai / kono ue naku そびれる sobireru となると / となれば to naru to / to nareba をいいことに o ii koto ni ともすれば tomo sureba くらいのものだ kurai no mono da 尽くす tsukusu とは towa といわず〜といわず to iwazu~to iwazu という to iu そばから soba kara ても差し支えない temo sashitsukaenai からある / からする/ からの kara aru / kara suru / kara no に〜を重ねて ni~o kasanete であれ〜であれ de are~de are にかかっている ni kakatteiru に照らして ni terashite に至る / に至った ni itaru / ni itatta まじき majiki

🃏 Flashcard

とて

tote

Tap to reveal usage

even; even if/though ~

Tap to test your recall · +10 XP

📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N1

Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Reading tote

Post ID 51413

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

even; even if/though ~

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

とて

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat とて three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using とて. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns

← Previous

とっさに

at once; right away; promptly

とは

I was surprised that; the fact that ~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern とて mean? ▼

Even; even if/though ~

What JLPT level is とて? ▼

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. To pass JLPT N1 you need to recognise and use this pattern correctly in reading and listening sections.

How do you use とて in a sentence? ▼

Attach とて (tote) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is とて formal or casual Japanese? ▼

とて is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember とて long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review at 10 minutes, 1 day and 3 days (spaced repetition). Writing two original sentences at each review session is the fastest way to reach production-level mastery.