だってdatte“because; but; after all; even; too”

だって means because; but; after all; even; too. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that a colloquial way to give a reason, excuse, or to say ‘even X too’.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that a colloquial way to give a reason, excuse, or to say ‘even X too’, だって is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does だって mean?

Use だって when you want to express that a colloquial way to give a reason, excuse, or to say ‘even X too’.

Natural translations include:

• because; but; after all; even; too

How to form だって

だって + Sentence (at start) / Noun + だって

Examples of the pattern:

• だって、疲れたんだもん
• 私だってできる

When is だって used?

Use だって in situations like:

• giving a reason, making an excuse, or saying ‘even’

Tone and register:

• colloquial; common in daily speech, complaints, and excuses
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

だって example sentences

• だって、誰も教えてくれなかったんだ。 — But nobody told me!
• 私だって行きたい。 — I want to go too.
• だって、それは無理だよ。 — But that’s impossible.
• 子供だってできる簡単な問題だ。 — It’s a simple problem that even a child could do.
• だって、時間がなかったんだから。 — Because I didn’t have time, that’s why.

After reading each sentence, ask what job だって is doing: a colloquial way to give a reason, excuse, or to say ‘even X too’.

Nuance of だって

The key nuance is a colloquial way to give a reason, excuse, or to say ‘even X too’.

For example:

• In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with でも, it carries a different weight and implication.

だって vs でも

だって:

• a colloquial way to give a reason, excuse, or to say ‘even X too’

でも:

• but; however; even (more neutral)

Quick contrast examples:

• だって、知らなかったんだ。
• でも、知らなかったんだ。

Common mistakes with だって

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with だって, then rewrite it with でも. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is だって on the JLPT?

Yes. だって is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for だって

• Use だって in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of だって is necessary.
• Compare だって with でも in your own example.

Learning path for だって

To learn だって efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form だって without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with でも.
3. Finally, write sentences where だって is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• もの / もん — because it also gives colloquial reasons and excuses
• からと言って（からといって） — because it also involves reasoning and justification
• くせして — because it also expresses irritation about contradictions

Learn だって with Hane

If you want to review だって together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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