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〜こととて

since, as (apologetic and formal)

Plain form / Noun + の + こととて

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こととて gives a reason, usually to excuse or apologise for something: 慣れぬこととて、失礼いたしました, "please forgive me, I'm not used to this".

It's old-fashioned and very formal, found in polite speech, letters and period dramas. Classical forms like 慣れぬ (= 慣れない) and 知らぬ often come before it.

The second half is often an apology (失礼しました, お許しください) or an explanation of why something can't be done: 休日のこととて、担当者が不在です, "as it's a holiday, the person in charge is away".

Compare ことから (N2), "from the fact that", which gives neutral, logical grounds. こととて is humble and apologetic.

Examples

  • 慣なれぬこととて、失礼しつれいいたしました。

    Please forgive me, I'm not used to this.

  • 子こどものしたこととて、どうかお許ゆるしください。

    It was only a child who did it, so please forgive them.

  • 休日きゅうじつのこととて、担当者たんとうしゃが不在ふざいです。

    As it's a holiday, the person in charge is away.

  • 急きゅうなこととて、何なんの準備じゅんびもできておりません。

    As it was so sudden, we haven't been able to prepare anything.

  • 初はじめてのこととて、至いたらない点てんもあるかと思おもいます。

    As this is my first time, I'm sure there will be shortcomings.

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