N1 Contrast and Concession

~としたことが: meaning, usage and examples

~としたことが means: for someone (like me)... / (un)characteristic of...

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

Examples

1. 私わたしとしたことが、大事だいじな約束やくそくを忘わすれるなんて。

   For me to forget such an important promise...

2. ベテランの彼かれとしたことが、初歩的しょほてきなミスを犯おかすとは。

   For a veteran like him to make such a basic mistake...

3. 僕ぼくとしたことが、会議かいぎの資料しりょうを間違まちがえて印刷いんさつしてしまった。

   How unlike me to print the wrong materials for the meeting.

4. 慎重しんちょうな田中たなかさんとしたことが、鍵かぎをかけ忘わすれるとは珍めずらしい。

   It is unusual for someone as careful as Mr. Tanaka to forget to lock up.

When to use it

Means "for someone like me (or him) to do this, how unlike them." The speaker is surprised and disappointed that a careful or skilled person, usually themselves, made a mistake. For example, 僕ぼくとしたことが、資料しりょうを間違まちがえて印刷いんさつしてしまった (how unlike me to print the wrong materials).

Nuance

Used in speech and writing, with self-reproach or surprise. Most often with 私わたし / 僕ぼく or a person the speaker knows well and respects. The second half is a mistake or failure, often ending in なんて, とは or てしまった. Not used for good results.

Compare

Compare ともあろうものが: 教師きょうしともあろうものが嘘うそをつくとは criticizes someone because of their social role. としたことが is personal surprise, mostly about oneself: 私わたしとしたことが鍵かぎを忘わすれた. Compare にしては: 初心者しょしんしゃにしては上手じょうずだ, a neutral "for a."

Tip: If the sentence begins with 私わたし and ends with a slip-up and なんて, think としたことが. For a role (教師きょうし, 警察官けいさつかん) being criticized, choose ともあろうものが.