とは (JLPT N1)

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(たかはし)さんがもう結婚(けっこん)していたとは驚(おどろ)いた。

I was surprised to hear that Mr. Takahashi was already married.

Examples

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病弱(びょうじゃく)で内気(うちき)だった田中(たなか)さんがボクシングチャンピオンになるとは夢(ゆめ)にも思(おも)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(に)ヶ月(かげつ)で10キロも痩(や)せるとは！このダイエットは効果(こうか)的(てき)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(きょねん)もう一度(いちど)新婚旅行(しんこんりょこう)に行(い)ったとは驚(おどろ)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(であ)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(あいだ)彼(かれ)と話(はな)したばかりなのに、今日(きょう)が彼(かれ)の葬式(そうしき)だとは信(しん)じられないよ。」

'It's unbelievable that I spoke with him just recently, and yet today is his funeral.' (never expected)

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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!