GrammarN12 min read2026-02-17

〜としたことが

Expresses surprise or criticism when someone acts uncharacteristically.

Meaning

This grammar pattern attaches to pronouns or nouns that refer to people, and is used to describe a situation that is out of character for that person. It often conveys surprise, disbelief, or self-reproach, and is frequently used to criticize one's own or others' actions.

Formation

Part of speechFormation
Pronoun / Noun (referring to a person)としたことが

Examples

  1. 私としたことが、このようなミスをするとは。
    For someone like me to make such a mistake...

  2. この文章は、普段こんなミスはしないのに、まさか自分がやってしまうとはという、意外だという気持ちと、悔しい気持ちも表しています。
    This sentence expresses both the feeling of surprise that one would make a mistake they normally never make, and the feeling of frustration.

  3. 彼としたことが受験の日に寝坊して試験を受けられなかったなんて驚いたよ。彼の成績ならどの大学だって受かっただろうに。
    I was shocked that someone like him overslept on exam day and couldn't take the test. With his grades, he could have gotten into any university.

  4. いつも時間厳守の上田先生としたことが、今回は締切に間に合わず、本の発売日を遅らせるなんて。
    For someone like Professor Ueda, who always strictly observes deadlines, to miss the due date this time and delay the book's release...

  5. クラスで成績トップの彼女としたことが、こんな簡単な問題に答えられないなんて。
    For her, the top student in the class, to be unable to answer such a simple question...

Summary

  • 「〜としたことが」 means "for someone like ... to ..." — expressing surprise at uncharacteristic behavior
  • Attaches to Pronoun or Noun (referring to a person)

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