〜とは

JLPT N1

Pattern

普通形 + とは
ナAだ + とは
Nだ + とは

Explanation

Used to strongly express the speaker's surprise, admiration, disbelief, or exasperation about a certain fact.

Usage

It emphasizes the speaker's emotional reaction to a fact that they find astonishing, impressive, or appalling. It is often followed by a sentence expressing that feeling, though sometimes the latter part is omitted. It is normally not used about the speaker's own situation.

Formation

Attach とは to the plain form, including ナ-adjective + だ and noun + だ.

Examples

鳥に足が二本あることさえ知らない子どもがいるとは驚きだ。

とりにあしがにほんあることさえしらないこどもがいるとはおどろきだ。

It is astonishing that there are children who do not even know that birds have two legs.

こんな見事な論文をわずか一日でまとめ上げたとは大したものだ。

こんなみごとなろんぶんをわずかいちにちでまとめあげたとはたいしたものだ。

It is remarkable that such an excellent paper was put together in only one day.

この先に温泉があると聞いてここまで来たのに、ここで通行止めとは……。

このさきにおんせんがあるときいてここまできたのに、ここでつうこうどめとは……。

I came all the way here because I heard there was a hot spring ahead, and to find the road closed here...!