だって

だって
conjunction, particle
but, because, even
informalcolloquialgrammatical
1. but, because
Used at the beginning of a sentence to offer a reason or excuse, often with a slightly defensive or childish nuance.
だって、知(し)らなかったんだもん。
But I didn't know!
だって仕方(しかた)ないじゃない。
But it can't be helped, can it?
だって、疲(つか)れてたんだもん。
But I was tired!
だって本当(ほんとう)なんだから。
But it's true!
だって、聞(き)いてなかったよ。
But I didn't hear you!
だって、そう言(い)われたんだもの。
But that's what I was told!
2. even, also
Attached after a noun to mean 'even' or 'also,' similar to でも.
子供(こども)だってできる。
Even a child can do it.
誰(だれ)だって間違(まちが)える。
Anyone can make mistakes.
何(なに)だって食(た)べる。
I eat anything.
彼(かれ)だって分(わ)からなかった。
Even he didn't understand.
いつだって味方(みかた)だよ。
I'm always on your side.

Sense 1 - conjunction

  • Used at sentence start to give a reason or excuse
  • Has a casual, sometimes childish or defensive tone
  • Often paired with 〜んだもん, 〜んだから

Sense 2 - particle

  • Noun + だって: Even (noun), (noun) also
  • Similar to でも but more casual/emphatic
  • 誰(だれ)だって (anyone), 何(なに)だって (anything)

Register: Casual/colloquial. Not used in formal speech or writing.

Similar

Related Words

Related: でも (but, even)
Related: だけど (but (casual))
Related: けど (but, though (casual))
Related: もの (sentence-final reason particle (casual もん))
Compare: なぜなら (because, the reason is)
basic
Added 2026.1.12 23:43 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
03000/03423_datte