N1 Contrast and Concession

~とて: meaning, usage and examples

~とて means: even... / although... (formal).

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

Examples

1. 親おやとて、子供こどもの将来しょうらいをすべて決きめられるわけではない。

   Even parents can't decide everything about their child's future.

2. 医者いしゃとて人間にんげんだから、間違まちがえることもある。

   Even doctors are human, so they sometimes make mistakes.

3. 私わたしとて、この結果けっかに満足まんぞくしているわけではない。

   I am not satisfied with this result either.

4. プロの料理りょうり人じんとて、毎回まいかい完璧かんぺきに作つくれるとは限かぎらない。

   Even professional cooks cannot always make things perfectly every time.

When to use it

Means "even X" or "X too, just like others." The speaker says that someone or something, despite its special position, is no exception. For example, 私わたしとて、この結果けっかに満足まんぞくしているわけではない (I am not satisfied with this result either). It often follows people or roles: 親おやとて, 医者いしゃとて, 私わたしとて.

Nuance

Formal and somewhat literary, used in writing and serious speech. The second half usually says "is no exception" or "cannot do it": 〜わけではない, 〜とは限かぎらない, 人間にんげんだ. 私わたしとて is common when the speaker defends their own feelings.

Compare

Compare でも / も: 医者いしゃでも間違まちがえる is everyday speech. とて is the formal version: 医者いしゃとて人間にんげんだ. Compare といえども, which also means "even" but stresses a high status: 社長しゃちょうといえども規則きそくは守まもる. とて more often means "X too."

Tip: Swap とて for でも and check the meaning. If it works, とて is likely correct. 私わたしとて is a strong, useful phrase to memorize.