だって (even)

• Reading: だって
• Romaji: datte
• Formation: Noun + だって / Pronoun + だって

Meaning

A particle meaning 'even' or 'too,' attached to nouns or pronouns to emphasize that something applies to the indicated person or thing as well, often unexpectedly. It is colloquial and emphatic.

だって as an 'even/too' particle highlights that the noun or pronoun it follows is included in a category, often against expectations. 子供だって分かる (even a child understands) emphasizes that understanding extends even to children. 私だって (even I / I, too) is frequently used when the speaker asserts that they share an experience or capability that might have been overlooked. This usage is distinctly colloquial and carries an emphatic, sometimes assertive, nuance. It differs from も (also/too) by adding a layer of emphasis or surprise. In some contexts, it overlaps with でも (even), but だって tends to sound more personal and emotionally charged. It is natural in casual spoken Japanese but unsuitable for formal contexts.

Examples

1. こんな簡単な問題、子供だって解ける。 Even a child can solve a problem this easy.
2. 私だって休みの日くらいゆっくりしたい。 Even I want to take it easy at least on my days off.
3. 彼だって完璧じゃないんだから、少しは大目に見てあげて。 He's not perfect either, so cut him some slack.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, everyday

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 誰だって最初は初心者なんだから、失敗を恐れる必要はない。
• プロだって間違えることはある。
• 忙しいのは分かるけど、私だって手伝ってほしい時がある。

Don't Say

• 先生だって間違えることがございます。(Mixing casual だって with formal ございます — register mismatch) → 先生でも間違えることがございます。
• だって彼は来た。(Confusing 'even' だって with 'because' だって — word order matters; place だって after the noun for 'even') → 彼だって来たんだよ。

Origin & History

This だって derives from であっても (even if it is), which contracted in colloquial speech. The て connects to the concessive meaning, giving the sense of 'even being X' or 'X included.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal