Japanese grammar

What does ～にいたっては mean? Japanese grammar N1

～にいたっては means when it comes to the extreme case of… (even more so).

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N1
Structure	N + に至っては
Romaji	niitatteha
Meaning	when it comes to the extreme case of… (even more so)

Forming it

Noun (case)	最悪の場合 + に至っては
Noun (person)	彼 + に至っては

How to use it

Singles out ONE most extreme case within a group for emphasis (usually negative). Written.

「～に至っては」 singles out ONE most EXTREME case within a group to emphasize: “and as for..., it's even worse”. Usually negative.
Different from 「に至って」 (the moment of reaching that level): 「に至っては」 separates out one extreme example within a group.
The latter clause is usually an extreme assessment/complaint.

Examples

みんな成績(せいせき)が悪(わる)いが、彼(かれ)に至(いた)っては、零(れい)点(てん)だった。
Everyone did poorly, but as for him, he got a zero.
準備(じゅんび)不足(ふそく)で、道具(どうぐ)に至(いた)っては何(なに)も用意(ようい)していなかった。
They were unprepared; as for tools, they had readied nothing.

Keep in mind

Attaches to a noun.
Picks the most extreme example to emphasize the point.

Common mistakes

Wrong事故(じこ)に至(いた)っては、対策(たいさく)を取(と)った。

Once the accident happened, measures were taken.

Correct事故(じこ)に至(いた)って、対策(たいさく)を取(と)った。

Stating the MOMENT of reaching that level uses 「に至って」; 「に至っては」 separates out one extreme case.
Wrong彼(かれ)に至(いた)っては、優秀(ゆうしゅう)だ。

And as for him, he was actually excellent.

Correct彼(かれ)に至(いた)っては、零(れい)点(てん)だった。

「に至っては」 usually singles out an extreme NEGATIVE/surprising case, rarely used for neutral praise.

Exam tips

「に至っては」 = and as for that extreme case (emphasis, usually negative).

Related patterns

All N1 grammar →