Meaning
This pattern has two usages. In the first usage, 「とて」 follows a noun and means "even (someone/something)," similar to 「でも」. In the second usage, 「とて」 follows a verb or clause and means "even if," similar to 「としても」. Both usages are relatively formal expressions.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| Noun | とて |
Examples
-
私とて、このような規則は不要だと思っている。
Even I think such a rule is unnecessary. -
仮に毎日徹夜して仕上げたとて、先方の希望する納期には間に合わないだろう。
Even if we stayed up all night every day to finish it, we would probably not meet the delivery deadline the other party wants. -
いくら頼んだとて、できないものはできないよ。
No matter how much you ask, what cannot be done simply cannot be done. -
人は過去に戻れない。どんなに後悔したとて過ぎたことは今更どうしようもない。
People cannot return to the past. No matter how much you regret it, there is nothing you can do about what has already happened. -
税率を上げたとて、社会保障が充実するとは限らないだろう。
Even if the tax rate is raised, social security will not necessarily improve. -
飲食店に平日も休日も関係ないですよ。年末年始とて同じことです。
For restaurants, weekdays and holidays make no difference. Even the year-end and New Year period is the same.
Summary
- 「〜とて」 means "even...; even if..."
- Attaches to nouns (usage 1: "even") and verbs/clauses (usage 2: "even if")