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JLPT N3 · Conditionals (if / when)

たって (tatte)

～たって — casual “even if ～”

In short · The spoken version of ても. Plain past form of the verb + て (たって / だって) means “even if ～ / no matter how much ～.” It is used in casual talk, often with a tone of giving up or complaining.
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Pattern

  • 動詞た形 ＋ って（〜たって／〜だって） ta-form + って (走ったって, 謝ったって, 頼んだって)
  • どんなに・いくら ＋ 〜たって どんなに／いくら + ～たって = no matter how much ～

Meaning and forms

It replaces ても with ～たって (for verbs ending in た) or ～だって (for verbs ending in だ). 走っても → 走ったって, 頼んでも → 頼んだって. With い-adjectives it is ～くたって, and with nouns / な-adjectives it is ～だって.

Feeling and use

The second half is often a negative judgment: it is too late, it won't work, it won't be allowed. 今から走ったって、間に合わないよ. It carries an “it's no use” feeling.

Register

It is used only in casual speech with friends and family. In writing and polite speech, use ても.

Examples

  • 今（いま）から走（はし）ったって、間（ま）に合（あ）わないよ。

    Ima kara hashittatte, ma ni awanai yo.

    Even if you run now, you won't make it.

  • 今（いま）から謝（あやま）ったって、もう遅（おそ）いよ。

    Ima kara ayamattatte, mō osoi yo.

    Even if you apologize now, it's already too late.

  • どんなに頼（たの）んだって、母（はは）は許（ゆる）してくれない。

    Donna ni tanondatte, haha wa yurushite kurenai.

    No matter how much I beg, my mother won't allow it.

Common mistakes

  • Match the sound of the verb: 走った → 走ったって, but 頼んだ → 頼んだって.
  • It is spoken only. Use ても in tests, emails and polite situations.

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