〜たるもの

As Someone Who Is

Level 5Sounds Like tarumono

Noun + たるもの
Meaning: "As someone who is [X]..." or "By virtue of being [X]..."
Used to state the ideal standard or moral duty of a person in a specific position.

How It Works

1. Usage and Nuance
〜たるもの is used when the speaker wants to emphasize the gravity and high expectations of a certain status (like a leader, a professional, or a parent). It carries a sense of authority and is often found in formal speeches, literature, or when someone is lecturing others on their responsibilities. A common variation is 〜たるものが, which is specifically used to express criticism or surprise when someone fails to live up to the standards of their role.

2. Grammatical Structure
It attaches directly to a Noun representing a role or status. Because it sets a high standard, the sentence usually involves expressions of necessity or obligation. These can be sentence-ending forms or attributive forms:

  • Sentence-ending: 〜べきだ (should) or 〜べからず (must not).
  • Attributive (modifying a noun): 〜まじき (unforgivable/should not) or 〜べからざる (should not), which must be followed by a noun like 行為（こうい - act）or 態度（たいど - attitude）.
  • Negative obligation: 〜てはならない (must not).

3. Attributive Variation (N1 たる N2)
The pattern can also be used to connect two nouns directly (Noun 1 たる Noun 2). In this case, it describes a quality or behavior that is befitting of the first noun's role, such as 紳士たる態度（しんしたるたいど） meaning "an attitude befitting a gentleman."

4. Formal Register
This is a high-level expression. In daily conversation, it can sound overly stiff or even arrogant unless used in a very specific context (like a boss addressing employees or a teacher addressing students).

Examples (4)

  1. 教師たるもの、学生の見本となるような行動をすべきだ。

    As a teacher, one should act in a way that serves as a model for students.

    Word by Word: Teacher being-thing, students' model become-like action do-should.

    This sentence defines the 'ideal' behavior for anyone holding the title of 'teacher'.

  2. 紳士たるもの、いかなる時も冷静さを失ってはならない。

    As a gentleman, one must never lose one's composure, no matter the circumstances.

    Word by Word: Gentleman being-thing, any time also composure lose-must-not.

    Here, 'gentleman' is the status, and 'never losing composure' is the inherent requirement of that status.

  3. 一国のリーダーたる者は、国民の幸せを第一に考えるべきである。

    One who is the leader of a nation should put the happiness of the people first.

    Word by Word: One-country leader being-person, citizens' happiness first-at think-should is.

    The kanji 者 (mono/person) is often used instead of the hiragana もの to emphasize that it refers to a person in that role.

  4. プロの料理人たるもの、道具の手入れを怠ってはいけない。

    As a professional chef, one must not neglect the maintenance of one's tools.

    Word by Word: Professional chef being-thing, tools' maintenance neglect-must-not.

    This highlights a fundamental duty associated with being a professional in that field.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it for personal desires or wishes.

    医者たるもの、お金持ちになりたい。
    医者たるもの、患者の命を救うことを最優先にすべきだ。

    〜たるもの must be followed by a statement of duty or obligation (what one should do), not a personal wish (what one wants to do).

  • Adding the copula だ before the pattern.

    学生だたるもの、勉強に励むべきだ。
    学生たるもの、勉強に励むべきだ。

    The pattern attaches directly to the noun. You do not need to add だ or の before 〜たるもの.

How It Connects

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

〜たるものLevel 5As Someone Who Is

Learn This First

〜たるもの is a formal expression used to describe the obligations or expected behavior of someone in a specific role (e.g., 'As a teacher...'). It requires a solid understanding of noun modification and the conceptual framework of social roles and expectations.

Words in This Pattern

たる者