Japanese with Manga

You say that, but I didn't hear a rule against it with だって

Grammar Explanation: That said with だって

Manga panel from 三ツ星カラーズ showing example of You say that, but I didn't hear a rule against it with だって.
三ツ星カラーズ » Volume 2 » Page 5

Standing back to back, Sacchan is slightly taller than Yui. Yui questions whether Sacchan is standing tip-toed, which Sacchan denies, but Yui looks and sees that Sacchan is.

さっちゃん:
「だって背(せ)のびしちゃダメなルールって聞(き)いてないし」
“You say that, but I didn't hear a rule against tiptoes.”
Literal: “Because I haven't heard of a rule saying tiptoes are no good.”
結衣(ゆい):
「背(せ)のびしてもいいルールなんてないもん」
“There's no way there'd be a rule allowing tiptoes!”

Key Points

1だって pushes back with an excuse
  • Sacchan uses だって to answer Yui’s accusation about standing on tiptoe.
  • It has a “but” or “because” feel: she is defending herself.
2聞(き)いてないし leaves the reasoning open-ended
  • 聞(き)いてない says she has not heard such a rule.
  • し implies this is one reason among others, adding a casual argumentative tone.
3The rule phrase is packed into one noun
  • 背(せ)のびしちゃダメなルール means “a rule saying tiptoeing is not allowed”.
  • 〜ちゃダメ is casual for 〜てはいけない.

See Also

三ツ星カラーズ © its respective creators. It is used here for educational commentary.