JLPT N1 Grammar (towa)

Meaning

I didn't know; I was surprised that; the fact that ~

How to use

Verb (casual)とは
Noun +(だ/だった)
な-adjective +(だ/だった)
い-adjective + い
towa とは jlpt n1 grammar meaning 文法 例文 japanese flashcards

Learn Japanese grammar: (towa). Meaning: I didn’t know; I was surprised that; the fact that ~.

This is a particle used to indicate the topic and express the speaker’s surprise.

Other uses:

  • Can be used to define / quote words. (see example 8)
  • Can be used at the end of a sentence similarly to “what is…?” for information not yet revealed. (see example 9)
towa とは jlpt n1 grammar meaning 文法 例文 learn japanese flashcards

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- Example Sentences

Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.

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Example #1

かれがはんにんだったとは…
kare ga han'nin datta to wa…
I didn't think he was the culprit...
Example #2

さいのうのあるかのじょがきゅうになくなるとは、とてもざんねんです。
sainou no aru kanojo ga kyuu ni naku naru towa, totemo zannen desu.
It's such a shame and shocking that such a talented person like her has suddenly died.
Example #3

じぶんだけでにほんごをべんきょうして、あそこまでかいわがじょうずとはすごいなあ。
jibun dake de nihongo o benkyou shite, asoko made kaiwa ga jouzu to wa sugoi naa.
It's amazing that you are able to speak Japanese so well just from studying by yourself.
Example #4

サンフランシスコはやちんがたかいときいていたが、こんなにたかいとはおどろきだ。
sanfuranshisuko wa yachin ga takai to kiiteitaga, konnani takai towa odoroki da.
I heard that rent was expensive in San Francisco, but I never imagined it would be this high...
Example #5

かのじょがオリンピックできんメダルをとるとはだれもよそうしなかった。
kanojo ga orinpikku de kinmedaru o toru to wa dare mo yosou shinakatta.
No one expected her to win the gold medal at the Olympics.
Example #6

あんなにおんならしくうつくしくみえるひとが、じつはおとこだったとは…
anna ni onnna rashiku utsukushiku mieru hito ga, jitsu wa otoko datta towa...
I can't believe that person who looks and behaves exactly like a woman is actually a man...
Example #7

いもうとのけっこんしきにでられないとは、ざんねんなかぎりだ。
imouto no kekkonshiki ni derarenai towa, zannen na kagiri da.
It's a shame that I am not able to attend my younger sister's wedding.
Example #8

JLPTとはJapanese Language Proficiency Test のりゃくで、にほんごのうりょくしけんのことである。
JLPT to wa Japanese Language Proficiency Test no ryaku de, nihongo nouryoku shiken no koto de aru.
JLPT is an abbreviation for Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Example #9

いままであかされなかったしょうげきのしんじつとは…
ima made akasarenakatta shougeki no shinjitsu to wa…
What is the shocking truth that has not been revealed until now?

Vocabulary List

KanjiKanaEnglish
家賃やちんrent
驚きおどろきsurprise
残念ざんねんunfortunate
才能さいのうtalent
実はじつはactually; in reality

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JLPT N1 vocabulary list

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