ともあろうものが
🃏 Flashcard
ともあろうものが
tomo arou mono ga
Tap to reveal usage
of all people... (surprise)
N1
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
tomo arou mono ga
Post ID
51406
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
of all people... (surprise)
📖 How to use it
Expresses surprise or disapproval that someone of a certain status or character would do something unexpected.
Attaches to
Attach to a noun (person or group) directly: [noun] + ともあろうものが. The noun should refer to a person or entity with an expected standard of behavior.
This pattern points out that someone, given who they are or their position, should not have done something—or did something surprising. It's like saying 'Of all people...' or 'For someone who is supposedly...'. The speaker expects the person to act according to their status, and the pattern highlights the contrast between that expectation and reality.
You use it when you want to express shock, criticism, or disappointment. The noun before it is often a profession, title, or role that carries responsibility, like 'teacher', 'doctor', or 'adult'. It is a somewhat formal and literary pattern, often found in written opinions or news, but can be used in speech for strong effect.
教師ともあろうものが、生徒の前でそんなことを言うなんて信じられない。
Kyoushi tomo arou mono ga, seito no mae de sonna koto wo iu nante shinjirarenai.
I can't believe that a teacher, of all people, would say such a thing in front of students.
警察官ともあろうものが、法律を破るとは許せない。
Keisatsukan tomo arou mono ga, houritsu wo yaburu to wa yurusenai.
A police officer, of all people, breaking the law is unforgivable.
会社の社長ともあろうものが、約束を守らないとは情けない。
Kaisha no shachou tomo arou mono ga, yakusoku wo mamoranai to wa nasakenai.
It's pathetic that the company president, of all people, doesn't keep promises.
Not に限って (ni kagitte)
Both express surprise at someone's unexpected behavior, but ともあろうものが emphasizes the person's status or role ('for someone who is a teacher'), while に限って often implies that the person is the last one you'd expect ('of all people, it had to be him'). Use に限って when the person is specifically singled out, often with a negative outcome.
Register
Formal and somewhat literary; used in speeches, news, or critical commentary, but can be used in speech for rhetorical emphasis.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
ともあろうものが
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat ともあろうものが 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 ともあろうものが. 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
ところを
although (it is a certain time/condition)
Next →
ともなく / ともなしに
somehow; without knowing/thinking
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern ともあろうものが mean?
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Of all people... (surprise)
What JLPT level is ともあろうものが?
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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 ともあろうものが in a sentence?
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Attach ともあろうものが (tomo arou mono ga) 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 ともあろうものが formal or casual Japanese?
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ともあろうものが 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 ともあろうものが long-term?
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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.