〜に至っては

As For/when It Comes to

Level 4Sounds Like niitatsuteha

Used to highlight the most extreme case in a situation, often with a tone of surprise, criticism, or exasperation. It translates roughly to 'as for...' or 'when it comes to...' but specifically for the peak example.

How It Works

1. Function and Nuance
This pattern is used after describing a general state of affairs to introduce a specific example that represents the extreme end of that state. It is most commonly used for negative evaluations, but it can also be used for neutral or positive extremes.

2. Situational Usage
Beyond picking out an extreme example, it is used in the set phrase 「ことここに至っては」 to mean 'now that things have reached this stage' or 'now that it has come to this.' This indicates the situation has progressed to a point where a specific result or action is inevitable.

3. Register
This is a highly formal expression (Level 4). You will encounter it in written reports, news broadcasts, and formal speeches. It is not used in casual daily conversation.

4. Grammatical Structure
It primarily attaches to Nouns. While it can technically follow the dictionary form of a verb, this is rare and extremely literary.

5. Distinctions
Do not confuse this with 〜に至るまで, which describes a whole range ('from A to B'), or 〜はともかく, which sets a topic aside rather than highlighting it as the extreme case.

Examples (4)

  1. 今年の夏はどこも暑いが、京都に至っては最高気温が40度を超えた。

    This summer is hot everywhere, but as for Kyoto (the extreme case), the high temperature exceeded 40 degrees.

    Word by Word: This year's summer everywhere is hot but, Kyoto reaching-as-for, maximum temperature 40 degrees exceeded.

    Here, Kyoto is singled out as the most extreme example of the general heat wave.

  2. 最近の若者は敬語が使えないと言われるが、彼に至っては挨拶さえまともにできない。

    It is said that young people these days can't use honorifics, but in his case (the worst example), he can't even give a proper greeting.

    Word by Word: Recent young people honorifics cannot use (it is) said but, him reaching-as-for, greeting even properly cannot do.

    The speaker uses this pattern to highlight 'him' as the most extreme example of poor manners among youth.

  3. 不景気でどの店も客が少ないが、あの店に至っては一日中一人も来ないこともある。

    Due to the recession, all shops have few customers, but as for that shop, there are days when not a single person comes.

    Word by Word: Bad economy because-of any shop also customers are few but, that shop reaching-as-for, all day one person even not come things exist.

    This highlights 'that shop' as the most severe case of the general business slump.

  4. ことここに至っては、もはや自首する以外に道はない。

    Now that things have come to this (stage), there is no other way but to turn yourself in.

    Word by Word: Things here reaching-as-for, already turning-self-in except-for way is-not.

    This demonstrates the secondary usage where the pattern indicates a situation has reached a critical or final stage.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it for neutral, non-extreme topics.

    私の趣味に至っては、映画を見ることです。
    私の趣味は、映画を見ることです。

    〜に至っては is too dramatic and formal for a simple introduction of a hobby. Use the standard topic marker は instead.

  • Confusing it with the temporal 〜に至って (not until).

    病気に至っては、健康の大切さを知った。
    病気に至って、ようやく健康の大切さを知った。

    Without the 「は」, 〜に至って means 'reaching a stage' or 'it wasn't until...'. Adding 「は」 changes the meaning to 'as for this extreme case'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

〜に至ってはLevel 4As For/when It Comes to

Learn This First

The pattern '〜に至っては' is used to highlight an extreme example within a category. To understand it, learners need to be familiar with the target particle 'に' and the topic marker 'は', which together focus the sentence on a specific point. It also requires understanding the verb '至る' (to reach), as the expression literally means 'when it reaches the point of...'.

Words in This Pattern

に至っては至る