だって

Japanese

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) だって [dáꜜttè] (Atamadaka – [1])
• IPA^(key): [da̠t̚te̞]

Etymology 1

Sound change of だとて, compound of だ (da, “to be”, auxiliary verb) + とて (tote, “even, also”, binding particle).

Particle

だって • (datte) 

1. (binding particle)
   1. Indicating a certain object is included not as an exception, but in the general case; even, also

      Synonym: でも

      ここからだって見(み)える。

      Koko kara datte mieru.

      I can see it [even] from here.

      あなただってわかるでしょ。

      Anata datte wakaru desho.

      You should know, shouldn't you?

      (literally, “Even you know it, right?”)

   2. Indicating the things listed are in the same category; for example, things like

      水(すい)銀(ぎん)だって鉛(なまり)だって公(こう)害(がい)のもとだ。

      Suigin datte namari datte kōgai no moto da.

      Things like mercury or lead are a source of pollution.

   3. (following an interrogative word or words indicating doubt, quantity or degree) Expressing the idea that there are no exceptions; no matter

      Synonyms: でも, も

      誰(だれ)だって知(し)っている。

      Dare datte shitte iru.

      Everyone knows (no matter who he/she is).

2. (sentence ending particle, attached to a quote) Used to emphasize a sense of disapproval or surprise.

   欲(ほ)しいくせに、いらないだってさ。

   Hoshii kuse ni, iranai datte sa.

   Even though you want it, you'd say you don't need it!

   なぜ休(やす)んだかだって。病(びょう)気(き)だよ。

   Naze yasunda ka datte. Byōki da yo.

   [You wonder] why I took a day off? I was sick!

Conjunction

だって • (datte) 

1. Used to make an argument or give an excuse while expecting the other party's opposition or counterargument; but, however; even so; the reason is

   とても間(ま)に合(あ)いません。だって人(ひと)手(で)が足(た)りません。

   Totemo ma ni aimasen. Datte hitode ga tarimasen.

   It's impossible to make it in time, but it's because we don't have enough hands.

2. I mean; after all

   だって寒(さむ)いんだもん。

   Datte samui n da mon.

   After all, it's cold out.

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

For pronunciation and definitions of だって – see the following entry: たって

(The following entry is uncreated: たって.)