日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

~に至っては

~ni itatte wa

when it comes to (an extreme case)

When to use it

Use ~に至っては in written or formal spoken reporting when you single out the most extreme member of a series you have just described — the worst-performing branch, the most delinquent client, the biggest loss. It presupposes that a general trend or list has already been stated, then escalates to one conspicuous case, usually with a negative or surprising evaluation. In meetings and written reports it is a step above ~は or ~の場合は in gravity, and sounds out of place in casual conversation.

Formation

  • Noun + に至っては — the standard and by far the most common pattern: 関西支社に至っては、A社に至っては
  • Verb / clause → nominalize first with のに至っては or use a noun phrase (~する事態に至っては). Plain verb + に至っては is not used in modern writing.
  • i-adjective / na-adjective: not used directly; convert to a noun (安いもの → 最安値のものに至っては).
  • Typically followed by a clause with negative or extreme content; often paired with も・さえ・すら (半分にも届かない、全員が退職した).
  • Distinguish from ~に至って ("upon finally reaching the point of", time/stage) and ~に至るまで ("right down to / all the way to").

Examples

  • Every branch missed target; Kansai, in particular, came in under 30%.

  • Utilization is trending down; at the Osaka plant it doesn't even reach half.

  • Complaints keep coming in; A Corp has even hinted at terminating the contract.

  • The response rate is poor—as for the executives, they still haven't submitted.

  • Once delivery delays become the norm, reviewing the relationship is unavoidable.