By ProDev Teach | Updated: May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The grammar pattern ～に至って or ～に至り is used to indicate that something has reached a critical point or turning point. It can be translated as “to the point that…“, “upon reaching…“, or “not until…” depending on the context.
Structure:
Noun + に至ってNoun + に至り(formal conjunctive form)
Usage Context:
- Often used to describe a situation that escalated or reached an extreme
- Formal and often seen in written reports or news
💡 Example Sentences
- 死者が出るに至って、政府はようやく重い腰を上げた。
It was only after fatalities occurred that the government finally took action. - 交渉が決裂するに至って、事態は最悪の方向へ進んだ。
Once the negotiations broke down, the situation took a turn for the worse. - 会社の経営悪化に至って、多くの社員が解雇された。
When the company’s financial situation worsened, many employees were laid off. - 試験の前日になっても勉強しない彼の態度には驚くに至った。
His attitude of not studying even the day before the exam finally shocked me.
📝 Grammar Notes
The verb 至る (いたる) means “to reach” or “to lead to.” When used in the form ～に至って, it emphasizes that a significant or critical stage has been reached. The conjunctive form ～に至り is used when connecting to another clause or sentence.
Common Collocations:
- 死者が出るに至って (only after people died)
- 経営破綻に至って (upon reaching bankruptcy)
- 交渉決裂に至って (when negotiations collapse)
✏️ Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
- 状況が（ ）政府は対策を発表した。
- 大事故（ ）、調査が開始された。
- 病気が悪化（ ）、入院することになった。
✔ Answers:
- 状況が 悪化するに至って 政府は対策を発表した。
- 大事故 に至って、調査が開始された。
- 病気が悪化 に至り、入院することになった。
2. Translate into Japanese
- Only after many complaints did the company respond.
- The situation reached a point where a recall was unavoidable.
✔ Suggested Answers:
- 多くの苦情が出るに至って、会社は対応した。
- リコールが避けられない状況に至った。
📚 Related Grammar
- ～末に： After a long process
- ～上で： Upon, after doing
- ～たところ： When, after
🧠 Summary
- ～に至って / に至り = “To the point that / Upon reaching”
- Level: JLPT N1
- Form: Noun + に至って / に至り
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
