Grammar › N1 · 11 Formal and written style
〜とて: even if; as for
N1 · 11 Formal and written style
A literary particle meaning even or even if, or as for (a person) in a given case.
Two uses: 1) 〜とて + negative: 子供とて容赦しない (even a child). 2) 〜とて、〜ない (even if). Also 今とて (even now). Literary, rare in speech. Compare 〜といえども, which is similar.
Examples
いくら急いだとて、もう間に合わない。
No matter how much we hurry, we won't make it now.
私とて、何も知らなかったわけではない。
Even I was not completely ignorant of it.