だって
I heard/was said, Because, But, Even or also, Even if or even though
Structure
だって + Phrase
Explanation
だって is an informal expression that comes from combining the auxiliary verb だ and the adverbial particle とて (itself a fusion of particles と and て). It serves many functions, but its core purpose is to present something as the 'reason' or 'basis' for a previous or upcoming statement. This often translates to 'because', 'but', 'I heard', or 'even'. The precise meaning is largely determined by where だって is placed within a sentence.
When だって is positioned at the start of a sentence, it often signals the speaker's objection or complaint about something previously mentioned, immediately followed by a reason or excuse. In this role, だって is very close in meaning to でも.
- えー、今部屋を掃除したくないよ。だって、疲れているんだもん。Ugh, I don't feel like cleaning my room right now. It's because I'm tired.
- だって、宿題が分からなかったんだ。It's because I didn't understand the homework.
When found at the sentence's conclusion, だって reports secondhand information, similar to the English phrases 'I heard that...', or 'they say that...'. In this pattern, it is preceded by なん to form なんだって and will follow either a noun or a phrase that has been turned into a noun using の or こと.
- 新しい先生はアメリカ出身なんだって。I heard the new teacher is from the United States.
- あそこのレストラン、すごく有名なんだって。They say that restaurant over there is really famous.
Caution
When used immediately following a noun, だって carries a nuance similar to when it starts a sentence: it emphasizes the preceding word to set up a further point. This usage functions like でも and is often translated as 'even' or implies 'too'. It is important to note that this form is not used with なん.
- 子供だってそんなことは分かるよ。Even a child understands that.
- そんな簡単なクイズ、誰だって答えられるよ。A quiz that simple? Anyone could answer that.
Fun Fact
The adverbial particle とて is itself a shortened form of phrases such as と言って and と思って. While the full structure, だとて, is grammatically correct, it is rarely used in conversation because だって is much simpler to pronounce.
Fun Fact
When だって starts a sentence to provide a reason or excuse, もん or もの is frequently added to the end of the sentence. This addition serves to reinforce the speaker's emotional justification or opinion. This pattern is most often heard from women and children.
Examples
明日は雨だってよ。
I heard it's going to rain tomorrow.
だって、もう眠いんだもん。
Because, I'm already sleepy.
先生だって間違えることはあるよ。
Even teachers make mistakes sometimes.
「田中さん、会社を辞めるだって？」
'Is it true (what I heard) that Tanaka-san is quitting the company?'
ロボットだって絵を描けるんだ。
Even robots can draw pictures.
今日の授業は中止なんだって。
I heard that class is canceled today.
子供だって、時には大人のようなことを言う。
Even children sometimes say things like an adult.
百円ショップだっていい物はある。探せばね。
Even at the 100-yen shop, you can find good things. That is, if you look for them.
お母さん：「どうして宿題をしていないの？」
息子：「だって、 難しくてできなかったんだ。」
Mom: 'Why haven't you done your homework?'
Son: 'Because it was too difficult and I couldn't do it.'
「あのレストランは最高らしいよ。」
「最高だって？じゃあ、今度行ってみよう。」
'I hear that restaurant is the best.'
'The best, you say? Well then, let's try going next time.'
人生は山あり谷ありだって。くよくよしないで。
They say that life has its ups and downs. Don't worry so much.
彼はパーティーに来なかった。だって仕事が忙しかったから。
He didn't come to the party. Because he was busy with work.