GRAMMAR
〜ともあろう
of all people
such
Explanation
NOTE
〜ともあろう means someone of all people — it marks surprise that a respected person acted badly.
先生ともあろう人が、なぜそんなことを言ったのか。
Why would a teacher, of all people, say such a thing?
NOTE
It is formal and carries criticism or disappointment — the person should have known better.
警察官ともあろうものが、嘘をついてはいけない。
A police officer, of all people, must not tell lies.
It is often followed by 人 (hito) or もの (mono) meaning the person in question.
NOTE
Attach ともあろう directly to a noun naming a person, role, or organization of high standing.
STRUCTURE
N辞
ともあろう大臣ともあろう人が、約束を破った。
Daijin tomoarou hito ga, yakusoku o yabutta.
A minister, of all people, broke his promise.
医者ともあろうものが、そんなミスをするとは。
Isha tomoarou mono ga, sonna misu o suru to wa.
For a doctor, of all people, to make such a mistake.
大学ともあろう機関が、データを偽った。
Daigaku tomoarou kikan ga, deeta o itsuwatta.
A university, of all institutions, falsified its data.
Practice exercises
1
先生ともあろう人が、遅刻するなんて。
For a teacher, of all people, to be late.
Answer
ともあろう
2
警察官ともあろうものが、罪を犯した。
A police officer, of all people, committed a crime.
Answer
ともあろう
3
社長ともあろう人が、嘘をついた。
A company president, of all people, told a lie.
Answer
ともあろう
4
社長ともあろう人が、子供ながらの言動をするとは。
That a president, of all people, should behave like a child.
Answer
ともあろう
5
先生ともあろう方が、子供のごとき行動をとるべきではない。
A teacher, of all people, should not act like a child.
Answer
ともあろう
6
公務員ともあろう者が、公僕たる本分を忘れるべきではない。
A civil servant, of all people, should not forget their duty as a public servant.
Answer
ともあろう
7
弁護士ともあろうプロが、そのような初歩的ミスを犯すとは。
That a lawyer, of all people, a professional, should make such a basic mistake.
Answer
ともあろう
8
責任者ともあろう身が、軽率な行動は許されない。
A person in charge, of all people, is not allowed to act carelessly.
Answer
ともあろう