N1 Contrast and Concession

~ともあろうものが: meaning, usage and examples

~ともあろうものが means: for someone (important) like... to do such a thing.

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 教師きょうしともあろうものが、生徒せいとからお金かねを借かりるとは。

   For someone who is a teacher to borrow money from a student...

2. 社長しゃちょうともあろうものが、あんな無責任むせきにんな発言はつげんをするとは信しんじられない。

   I cannot believe that a company president, of all people, made such an irresponsible remark.

3. 警察官けいさつかんともあろうものが、飲酒いんしゅ運転うんてんで逮捕たいほされるとは。

   For a police officer, of all people, to be arrested for drunk driving...

4. 大学だいがく教授きょうじゅともあろうものが、論文ろんぶんのデータを捏造ねつぞうしていたとは驚おどろきだ。

   It is shocking that a university professor, of all people, had fabricated research data.

When to use it

Means "for someone in the position of X to do such a thing." The speaker criticizes a person whose role or status should make them behave well. For example, 警察官けいさつかんともあろうものが、飲酒いんしゅ運転うんてんで逮捕たいほされるとは (for a police officer, of all people, to be arrested for drunk driving).

Nuance

Strong criticism or shock, in speech and writing such as news commentary. The noun is a respected role (教師きょうし, 医者いしゃ, 社長しゃちょう, 政治せいじ家か). The second half is a bad act, usually ending with とは, なんて or 情なさけない. もの is often written 者もの.

Compare

Compare としたことが: 私わたしとしたことが is personal surprise, often about oneself. ともあろうものが judges others by their role. Compare たる者もの: 教師きょうしたる者もの、嘘うそをついてはならない states what such a person should do; ともあろうものが blames what they actually did.

Tip: Role + ともあろうものが + bad deed + とは. If there is no misdeed, the pattern does not fit.