たって

たって means even if; even though. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to state that something remains true no matter what condition is given.

This grammar point often appears in casual Japanese. If you want to state that something remains true no matter what condition is given, たって is a useful pattern to learn.

What does たって mean?

Use たって when you want to state that something remains true no matter what condition is given.

Natural translations include:

• even if; even though
• even if
• even if / even though

How to form たって

Verbた-form + って / い-adjectiveくたって / な-adjectiveだって / Nounだって

Examples of the pattern:

• 行ったって
• 高くたって
• 子供だって

When is たって used?

Use たって in situations like:

• explaining grammar in context
• answering JLPT reading questions
• making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:

• casual
• Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

たって example sentences

• 今さら謝ったって、もう遅い。 — Even if you apologize now, it is already too late.
• 高くたって、必要なら買います。 — Even if it is expensive, I will buy it if I need it.
• 子供だって、それくらい分かる。 — Even a child understands that much.
• 何を言ったって、彼は聞かない。 — No matter what you say, he will not listen.
• 忙しくたって、家族との時間は大切にしたい。 — Even if I am busy, I want to value time with family.

Nuance of たって

The key nuance is casual spoken concession.

This matters because たって does more than match a single English phrase. It shows how the speaker frames the condition, timing, example, role, intention, or contrast in the sentence.

For example:

• In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
• Compared with ても, it has a different focus and level of formality.

たって vs ても

Both たって and ても can appear in related situations, but they are different.

たって:

• means even if; even though
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

ても:

• たって is a more casual spoken form of ても and can sound stronger or more emotional

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 今さら謝ったって、もう遅い。 — Even if you apologize now, it is already too late.
• Compare: Try replacing it with ても and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with たって

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using たって with the wrong form
• Confusing たって with ても
• Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence

Is たって on the JLPT?

Yes. たって is commonly taught as JLPT N3 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 たって

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence using たって.
• Contrast たって with ても.
• Make a JLPT-style sentence where the context makes the meaning clear.

Learning path for たって

To learn たって efficiently, review basic contrast with でも and のに, then choose the pattern that matches surprise, concession, or partial denial.

1. First, make sure you can form たって without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with くせに, ながらも. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences where the second half goes against expectation; then check whether replacing たって with にしても changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• くせに — because it shows a different type of contrast, concession, or partial denial.
• ながらも — because it shows a different type of contrast, concession, or partial denial.
• にしても — because it shows a different type of contrast, concession, or partial denial.
• たとえ～ても — because it shows a different type of contrast, concession, or partial denial.

Learn たって with Hane

If you want to review たって together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N3 grammar lessons