Structure
Verb + (など)+ とは
Noun + (だ(1))+ (など)+ とは
[い]Adjective + (など)+ とは
[な]Adjective + (だ(1))+ (など)+ とは
(1) だった
Details
Register
Standard
About とは
とは is an emphatic structure that is regularly seen at the end of sentences, and will imply that the statement before it is shocking, appalling, or unexpected. In English, it translates very similarly as 'to think that (A)' in that it expresses a strong emotional response without expressly saying what that exact response is.
とは is a combination of the case-marking particle と in its quotation use, and the adverbial particle は. In this way, it is just marking the whole statement of (A) as what is being highlighted as the topic, without actually stating anything else about it.
とは may sometimes be seen following など or similar structures, and in these cases will just imply that 'something like (A)' is what is shocking.
Caution
Although it is common for とは to come at the end of a sentence with the actual feeling word omitted, the speaker may expressly state their reaction afterwards.
- 高橋さんがもう結婚していたとは驚いた。I was surprised to hear that Mr. Takahashi was already married.
Examples
--:--
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
病弱で内気だった田中さんがボクシングチャンピオンになるとは夢にも思わなかったよ!
I would never have even dreamed that sickly and reserved Tanaka-san would become a boxing champion. (never expected)
まさか二ヶ月で10キロも痩せるとは!このダイエットは効果的だ!
I (never expected) that I would lose 10kg in two months! This diet is super effective!
メアリーさんとたけしさんが去年もう一度新婚旅行に行ったとは驚いた。
I was surprised that Mary-san and Takeshi-san went on another honeymoon last year.
こんなところでキアヌ・リーブスに出会ったとはねぇ!
I (never expected) that I would come across Keanu Reeves in a place like this!
「ついこの間彼と話したばかりなのに、今日が彼の葬式だとは信じられないよ。」
'It's unbelievable that I spoke with him just recently, and yet today is his funeral.' (never expected)
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
Grammar notes and examples
JLPT 先生
接続・意味・使い方
日本語教師のN1et
Offline
There are no Offline resources listed for 「とは」.
You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
とは – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (3 in total)
wct
Is this とは the same ‘とは’ as the ‘とは’ used in とは限らない とはかぎらない -? (Namely, https://bunpro.jp/grammar_points/278)?
nekoyama
Isn’t this hint a bit too helpful?
Pushindawood
@nekoyama Thank you for pointing this out to me so that I could get it fixed. Cheers!
Got questions about とは? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion