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 ~

なりに / なりの nari ni / nari no ほどのことではない hodo no koto dewa nai こともあって koto mo atte にかまけて ni kamakete にまつわる ni matsuwaru を皮切りに o kawakiri ni やしない ya shinai に ni ぶり / っぷり buri / ppuri たるもの / たる taru mono / taru といわず〜といわず to iwazu~to iwazu というところだ /といったところだ to iu tokoro da / to itta tokoro da ともすれば tomo sureba もので mono de あくまでも akumade mo つ〜つ tsu~tsu がましい gamashii でも何でもない /くも何ともない demo nan demo nai / kumo nan tomo nai のやら / ものやら /ことやら no yara / mono yara/ koto yara ならでは nara dewa なりに / なりの nari ni / nari no ほどのことではない hodo no koto dewa nai こともあって koto mo atte にかまけて ni kamakete にまつわる ni matsuwaru を皮切りに o kawakiri ni やしない ya shinai に ni ぶり / っぷり buri / ppuri たるもの / たる taru mono / taru といわず〜といわず to iwazu~to iwazu というところだ /といったところだ to iu tokoro da / to itta tokoro da ともすれば tomo sureba もので mono de あくまでも akumade mo つ〜つ tsu~tsu がましい gamashii でも何でもない /くも何ともない demo nan demo nai / kumo nan tomo nai のやら / ものやら /ことやら no yara / mono yara/ koto yara ならでは nara dewa

🃏 Flashcard

とて

tote

Tap to reveal usage

even; even if/though ~

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📊 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 ~

📖 How to use it

This pattern marks something as an extreme or hypothetical case, meaning 'even' or 'even if/though.'

Attaches to Attaches to the dictionary form of verbs, the plain past form of verbs (for 'even though'), the dictionary form of i-adjectives, the dictionary form of na-adjectives (or their stem with とて), and directly to nouns.

とて is a literary and formal particle that emphasizes a particular case as an example that does not change the outcome. It is often used in written language, essays, or formal speeches, and is rarely used in everyday conversation. When attached to a noun or verb (dictionary form), it conveys 'even' or 'even in the case of.' For example, '私とて' means 'even I.' When attached to the past tense of a verb (e.g., 'したとて'), it expresses concession: 'even if (I) did...' or 'even though (I) did...' The nuance is that even if the extreme condition were true, the result would still not change, similar to ても but with a heavier, more literary tone. In modern casual speech, ても or でも is used instead.

先生とて、間違えることはある。

Sensei tote, machigaeru koto wa aru.

Even teachers make mistakes.

急いだとて、間に合わないだろう。

Isoida tote, maniawanai darou.

Even if we hurry, we probably won't make it.

金持ちとて、悩みはある。

Kanemochi tote, nayami wa aru.

Even the rich have their worries.

Not ても / でもても (and its casual form でも after nouns) is used in everyday speech and writing to mean 'even if' or 'even though,' while とて is stiff, literary, and used mainly in formal or written contexts. For example, you'd say '急いでも間に合わない' in conversation, but '急いだとて間に合わない' in a novel or essay.

🎯 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

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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? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

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 later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.