# としたことが: of all people, who would have thought?
> Learn how to use としたことが, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning of all people, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.
JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-toshita-koto-ga/
**としたことが** means **of all people, who would have thought?**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express surprise, disappointment, or mild criticism when someone who is usually reliable, skilled, or high‑status does something unexpected or out of character.
Use としたことが when you can’t believe that this particular person—of all people—did something inconsistent with their reputation.
## What does としたことが mean?
Use **としたことが** when someone you hold in high regard does something that doesn’t match their normal behavior. It carries a tone of “How could they of all people do such a thing?” The pattern attaches to a person (or a role, institution) and is immediately followed by a description of the unexpected action or situation.
Natural translations include:
- of all people
- and yet (this person) ...
- who would have thought (that they) ...
- I can't believe someone like X would ...
The best translation depends on the sentence. The feeling behind としたことが is never just neutral observation — it’s personal, often a little disappointed or incredulous.
## How to form としたことが
The grammar attaches directly to a noun that represents a person, role, or entity.
【人 / 立場】
+
としたことが
先生
→
先生としたことが
Examples of the pattern:
- あの正直な彼**としたことが**、嘘をつくなんて
- 一流企業**としたことが**、こんな単純なミスをするとは
- うちの部長**としたことが**、会議の日を間違えるなんて
The word before としたことが must be a noun referring to a specific person, a group, or an entity whose reputation is on the line. After it, you typically add a phrase that explains the surprising action, often followed by なんて or とは to underline the tone of disbelief.
## When is としたことが used?
Use **としたことが** in situations like:
- expressing shock or disappointment when someone breaks expected behavior
- gently scolding or sympathizing with someone you respect
- narrating an anecdote where a “model” person slips up
Tone and register:
- semi‑formal to spoken; carries emotional weight, not a dry report
- common in monologues, personal stories, and commentary
- often accompanied by なんて, とは, or ない at the end to emphasize the “I can’t believe it” nuance
If you use としたことが about yourself, it sounds self‑deprecating (e.g., 私としたことが、忘れてしまった ― I of all people forgot). That’s perfectly natural, but be aware it invites the listener to share your surprise.
## としたことが example sentences
先輩せんぱいとしたことが、こんな
簡単かんたんな
字じを
間違まちがえるなんて。
My senior colleague, of all people, misread such a simple character — I can't believe it.
あの
真面目まじめな
社長しゃちょうとしたことが、
会議かいぎに
遅刻ちこくするとは。
That serious company president of all people was late to a meeting — who would have thought?
あれだけ
注意ちゅういしていた
自分じぶんとしたことが、まさか
財布さいふを
落落おとすなんて。
I myself, who had been so careful, of all people dropped my wallet — I can't believe it.
警察けいさつとしたことが、
証拠しょうこの
管理かんりミスをするとは
信信しんじられない。
The police, of all institutions, made a mistake managing evidence — I find it unbelievable.
After reading each sentence, look for the gap between what you expect from that person and what actually happened. That gap is exactly what としたことが expresses.
## Nuance of としたことが
The key nuance is **emotional reaction to a disappointed expectation**. The pattern says more about the speaker’s surprise than about the act itself.
- The speaker holds a certain image of the person — reliable, smart, dignified.
- That image is broken by one specific action.
- としたことが highlights the contrast between the person’s status and their failure.
This is different from simply saying “surprisingly” or “unexpectedly.” It’s personal. You can use it about a close friend, a respected teacher, or even yourself — but not about a stranger you have no expectations of.
In many cases, the feeling is more gentle reproach than harsh criticism. Think of it as “Oh no, you too?” rather than “How dare you.”
## としたことが vs にしては
Both **としたことが** and **にしては** compare reality to an expectation, but they work in opposite directions.
としたことが
of all people, how could this person…
Use when a person with a good reputation does something below their standards.
先生としたことが、遅刻するなんて。
A teacher of all people — how could they be late?
にしては
for a … / considering …
Use when something is better/worse than the norm, not tied to personal reputation.
先生にしては、言葉遣いがラフだ。
For a teacher, his language is pretty casual.
If you want to express that the person’s identity makes the failure shocking, use としたことが. If you’re merely comparing to an expected standard, にしては is safer.
## Common mistakes with としたことが
❌
天気としたことが、急に雨が降った。
You can’t use としたことが with inanimate objects or abstract concepts. It only works with people or entities with agency.
✅
天気予報士としたことが、雨を見逃すなんて。
❌
彼としたことが、期待通りに仕事を終わらせた。
The following clause usually describes something that contradicts expectations. If the result is perfectly in line, としたことが feels off.
✅
彼としたことが、納期を忘れるなんてありえない。
Another common slip: forgetting to mark the end with なんて, とは, or ない. Without these, the sentence can feel incomplete or lose its expressive punch. Compare:
❌
課長としたことが、資料を間違えた。
✅
課長としたことが、資料を間違えるなんて。
## Is としたことが on the JLPT?
N1
としたことが appears primarily in N1 reading and listening, where it signals a speaker’s emotional surprise. You may encounter it in passages that show internal monologue or subtle interpersonal commentary.
✅ recognition in long texts
✅ choosing the right nuance in contextual questions
✅ less common in stand‑alone grammar multiple choice
For JLPT preparation, train yourself to feel the “of all people” sentiment the instant you see としたことが. The test won’t ask you to translate it — it will ask you to understand the speaker’s attitude.
## Practice questions for としたことが
1
Use としたことが to express surprise about a very organized friend who forgot an appointment.
casual
2
Write a sentence where a well-known politician does something dishonest. Add としたことが and なんて.
news commentary
3
Create a self‑deprecating sentence with 自分としたことが about a small mistake you made.
daily chat
4
Rewrite that sentence with にしては instead. How does the nuance change?
comparison practice
Keep your first answers short. Once としたことが feels natural, add more context so your surprise comes through clearly.
## Learning path for としたことが
1
Be sure you can attach としたことが directly to a person’s name or role without hesitation.
2
Compare it with にしては. Write two sentences about the same situation — one with としたことが, one with にしては — and explain the different feelings to a study partner.
3
Watch a drama or read a novel; pause when a character expresses disbelief about another person. If the original uses としたことが, you’ve caught it. If not, try to rephrase it with としたことが.
4
Review とっさに and とりわけ as they also deal with quick reactions and emphasis, rounding out your N1 toolbox for emotional nuance.
## Related grammar to review next
- [とっさに](/blog/n1-tossa-ni/) — because it describes an instant, emotional reaction, often in the same narratives where としたことが appears.
- [とりわけ](/blog/n1-toriwake/) — because it singles out something especially true, similar to how としたことが singles out a person.
- [とて](/blog/n1-tote/) — because とて also highlights an unexpected role or case (even a…), though with a broader scope.
- [とも～とも](/blog/n1-tomo-tomo/) — because it frames alternatives, useful in conversations where you debate “whether this person really did that or not.”
## Learn としたことが with Hane
If you want to practice **としたことが** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you study Japanese in short, focused sessions that build intuition for nuance.
Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)