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Formation: Surprise: plain form + とは (after N / な-adj, だ is often dropped); Definition: N + とは + 〜（のこと）だ／〜という意味だ／〜ものだ

This pattern has two main uses. As an exclamation, it states a fact that surprises, shocks or deeply moves the speaker, as in 'to think that X!' It is often followed by words such as 驚いた, 思わなかった or 信じられない, or the sentence simply ends in とは. As a definition, N とは introduces the term being explained, like a more formal 〜というのは, and is typical of dictionaries, textbooks and editorials. The separate word 〜なんて expresses similar surprise in a more casual, often dismissive tone, while とは sounds more formal and suits writing; do not confuse either use with 〜とは限らない ('not necessarily') or 〜とはいえ ('although'), which only start with the same sounds.

Variants: 〜とは思わなかった、〜とは驚いた、〜とはね (spoken exclamation)、〜とは〜のことだ、〜って (casual spoken form of the definition use)

Examples

• あの真面目な彼が嘘をつくとは、信じられない。
  To think that someone as upright as him would lie. I can't believe it.
• まさか一回で合格するとは。
  I never imagined I'd pass on the first try!
• 民主主義とは、国民が主権を持つ政治のあり方だ。
  Democracy is a form of government in which sovereignty rests with the people.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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