とは
(To wa)
to think that / I didn't expect that / the fact that.
Connection rules
- ＋Plain-form clause + とは.
- ＋Surprise / disbelief: 彼が来るとは、思わなかった ('I didn't think he'd come').
- ＋Definition: 友情とは、助け合うことだ ('friendship means helping each other').
Examples
1.
彼が来るとは思わなかった。
Kare ga kuru to wa omowa naka ta.
I never thought he'd come.
「to think that / I didn't expect that / the fact that」
2.
友情とは、助け合うことだ。
Yuujou to wa, tasukeau koto da.
Friendship means helping each other.
「to think that / I didn't expect that / the fact that」
Practice
To think that he would pass the exam without studying at all!
全く勉強しなかった彼が、試験に___驚きだ。
Romaji also accepted