JLPT N1 Grammar

〜こととて (koto to te)

〜こととて (koto to te)
“Because; since; due to the fact that”

This expression is used to provide a reason or an excuse for a certain situation, often one that is unavoidable or for which the speaker is seeking forgiveness. It suggests that because of a specific circumstance, the resulting action or state is "only natural" or "cannot be helped."

  • Formality: Highly formal, literary, and somewhat archaic.
  • Context: Primarily used in written Japanese, such as formal letters, business emails (especially apologies), or literature. It is rarely used in daily conversation unless in a very stiff, traditional setting.
  • Nuance: It carries a tone of humility or a formal request for understanding. It is frequently used when explaining a lack of experience, a sudden change in plans, or an unavoidable environmental factor (like being in a strange land). It often appears in the pattern 「〜ぬこととて」 (because I/we don't know/am not used to...).

Format

  • Noun + の + こととて
    急なこととて、十分なおもてなしもできず失礼いたしました。 Since it was so sudden, I apologize for not being able to welcome you properly.
  • Verb (Plain Form) + こととて
    知らぬこととて、大変なご迷惑をおかけいたしました。 Since I did not know, I have caused you a great deal of trouble.
  • い-Adj + こととて
    暑いこととて、どうぞご自愛ください。 Since it is hot, please take care of yourself.
  • な-Adj + な + こととて
    不慣れなこととて、ご指導ご鞭撻のほどお願い申し上げます。 Since I am inexperienced, I ask for your guidance and encouragement.

Example sentences

  • 、。
    Since it is the period right after a holiday, email replies are currently delayed.
  • 、。
    Since I am in an unfamiliar place, I ended up getting lost.
  • 、。
    Since it was something a child did, please find it in your heart to forgive them.
  • 、。
    Since we are deep in the mountains, there is no mobile phone signal.
  • 、。
    Since it is an old building, there is damage in various places.
  • 、。
    Since they are a new employee, I believe there may be areas where they fall short.
  • 、。
    Since it is late at night, we ask that you remain quiet.
  • 、。
    Since this is an urgent matter, please excuse me for contacting you by phone.
  • 、。
    Since it is a cramped office, there is not sufficient space.
  • 、。
    Since I am but a young and inexperienced person, I hope to receive your guidance.

Similar Grammar

〜ゆえに (yue ni)

“Because of; due to”
慣れないことゆえに、ご迷惑をおかけしました。 Due to the fact that I am not used to this, I caused trouble. Difference:

  • 〜ゆえに is more logical and focuses on cause-and-effect.
  • 〜こととて is more about offering a reason as an excuse or seeking understanding.

〜ものだから (mono dakara)

“Because (it's the case that...)”
急なものだから、準備が間に合わなかった。 Because it was sudden, the preparations weren't in time.

Difference:

  • 〜ものだから is much more common in daily spoken Japanese.
  • 〜こととて is extremely formal and reserved for writing/formal speeches.

〜とあって (to atte)

“Because of the special situation of...”
夏休み最初の週末とあって、海は大変な賑わいだ。 Because it's the first weekend of summer break, the beach is very crowded.

Difference:

  • 〜とあって describes a situation that naturally leads to a predictable result.
  • 〜こととて is specifically used to explain an unavoidable circumstance or apologize for a shortcoming.

〜のみならず (nominarazu)

“Not only...”
彼は、日本国内のみならず、世界中でその名を知られている。 He is known not only in Japan but also throughout the world.

Difference:

  • Be careful not to confuse the formal ending "〜とて" with other formal connectors. While they sound similar, their functions are entirely different.

〜といえども (to iedomo)

“Even though; despite”
プロといえども、ミスをすることもある。 Even though one is a professional, they sometimes make mistakes.

Difference:

  • 〜といえども is a concessive (even though).
  • 〜こととて is a causal (because).

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. の、もあるかと、ご指導をお願い申し上げます。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. （　　　）、が、いたしました。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. はのを（　　　）、が。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. のご支援（　　　）、本プロジェクトはにいたしました。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q5. 、を（　　　）、がありましたこと、深くお詫び申し上げます。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q6. の（　　　）、店の前にはができていた。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. の（　　　）、冬のはだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. （　　　）、へのを完全にことはできない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. でして（　　　）、日本のには。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. した（　　　）、するには。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. のの（　　　）、はになるよりほかなかった。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. このは、（　　　）、のをもしている。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q13. の（　　　）、のものご様子だ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. ことを（　　　）、がになってしまった。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. の（　　　）、がしまい申し訳ございません。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

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