ともあろう
JLPT Level: N1
Meanings
Of all people
even someone as ~
for someone as ~ to ~ (expected)
Usage
Noun + ともあろう
Noun + ともあろうに
Noun + ともあろうとは/ともあろうものか
Explanation
ともあろう is a literary or formal expression used after a noun, typically referring to a person of high status, rank, or long experience. It conveys a sense of expectation or irony: the speaker believes that a person who should be capable, wise, or proper would not do something inappropriate or foolish. The nuance is that it is surprising or disappointing that someone of such standing would behave in a way that contrasts with that expected conduct.
そんな大物がそんな軽率なことをするとは、ともあろう身分の人が信じられない。
そんなおおものがそんなけいそつなことをするとは、ともあろうみぶんのひとがしんじられない。
A person of such standing shouldn’t do something so rash; I can’t believe someone of his rank would act like that.
彼ともあろう人がそんな嘘をつくとは思わなかった。
かれともあろうひとがそんなうそをつくとはおもわなかった。
I never imagined someone like him would tell such a lie.
王ともあろう者がこのような過ちを犯すとは、誰が予想しただろう。
おうともあろうものがこのようなあやまちをおかすとは、だれがよそうしただろう。
Who would have thought that someone who should be a king would make such a mistake?