に至っては
When it comes to, As for, In particular, What is worse or more
Structure
Explanation
The expression に至っては is used to single out a particularly striking or ultimate example from a group of related things. Consequently, it is often translated as 'as for (A), (B)', 'when it comes to (A), (B)', or 'and in the case of (A), (B)'.
Structurally, this pattern combines the particle に, the て-form of the verb 至る (to reach an extreme point), and the particle は, which serves to introduce a topic. This construction creates a literal sense of 'reaching the point of (A), then (B)', which reflects the pattern's focus on an ultimate example.
に至っては is attached to nouns or to phrases that are functioning as nouns.
- 私の兄弟はみんなだらしない。兄に至っては、部屋がゴミ屋敷のようだ。All of my siblings are sloppy. When it comes to my older brother, his room is like a garbage dump.
- パーティーの料理はどれもまずかった。ケーキに至っては、食べられたものじゃなかった。All the food at the party was bad. As for the cake, it was completely inedible.
- 今学期の成績は悪かった。数学に至っては、赤点だった。My grades this semester were bad. To make matters worse, I failed math.
Caution
Because the verb 至る implies reaching a final, often extreme, stage, に至っては carries a nuance of surprise or disbelief. It is therefore most often used to highlight something exceptionally bad or undesirable.
- 今週はずっと天気が悪かった。週末に至っては、完璧な晴れだった。The weather was bad all week. As for the weekend, it was perfectly sunny. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
彼は料理が苦手だ。ご飯を炊くことに至っては、何度やっても失敗する。
He's bad at cooking. When it comes to just making rice, he messes it up no matter how many times he tries.
弟の部屋はいつも散らかっている。ベッドの下に至っては、何ヶ月も掃除していないようだ。
My younger brother's room is always a mess. As for under his bed, it looks like it hasn't been cleaned in months.
今回の期末試験は全体的に点数が悪かった。数学に至っては、平均点が３０点以下だった。
Overall, the scores on this final exam were poor. Math in particular, had an average score of less than 30 points.
祖父は最近物忘れがひどい。自分の誕生日に至っては、すっかり忘れてしまっていた。
My grandfather has been very forgetful lately. What's more, he completely forgot his own birthday.
東京は物価が高いことで有名だ。家賃に至っては、地方の二倍以上することも珍しくない。
Tokyo is famous for its high cost of living. When it comes to rent, it's not unusual for it to be more than double that of rural areas.
この店の売り上げは年々減少している。先月に至っては、赤字になってしまった。
This store's sales have been decreasing year by year. What was worse, last month they actually ended up in the red.
彼はひらがなやカタカナは少し読めるが、漢字に至っては全く分からないらしい。
He can read a little hiragana and katakana, but when it comes to kanji, he apparently doesn't understand any at all.
私の犬は臆病で、大きな音を怖がる。雷に至っては、震えが止まらなくなる。
My dog is timid and is scared of loud noises. When it comes to thunder, he can't stop shaking.
あの会社は多くの部署で問題が起きている。営業部に至っては、社員の半分が辞めてしまったそうだ。
That company is having problems in many of its departments. As for the sales department, I heard that half of the employees have quit.
娘は野菜嫌いでほとんど食べない。人参に至っては、見ただけで泣き出す始末だ。
My daughter is a picky eater and barely eats any vegetables. When it comes to carrots, she ends up crying just from looking at them.
そのイベントは来場者数が少なかった。最終日に至っては、出演者より客の方が少なかったらしい。
That event had a low number of attendees. On the final day in particular, I hear there were fewer guests than performers.
今では固定電話を使わない家も多い。公衆電話に至っては、どこにあるかさえ知らない若者もいる。
Nowadays, many homes don't even use a landline phone. When it comes to public phones, some young people don't even know where to find one.