～ても/でも
〜te mo/demo
JLPT N4 Neutral
Formation
Verb-て-form + も, い-Adjective (-い) + くても, な-Adjective + でも, Noun + でも
Expresses 'even if' or 'even though'; used to convey contradiction or contrast.
When to use
"Even if" - a hypothetical/conditional even-though, not a factual contrast. Distinguish from the others, which describe something already true.
Explanation
The ～ても/でも grammar point is used to express 'even if' or 'even though' in a sentence, showing the idea of contradiction or contrast. The formation of ても differs depending on whether it is used with a verb, い-adjective, or な-adjective. For nouns, でも is used.
Example sentences
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Even if it rains, I will go to school.
Ame ga futte mo, gakkou ni ikimasu.
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Even if this room is dirty, I don't intend to clean it.
Kono heya ga kitanakute mo, souji shinai tsumori desu.
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Even if that movie is not interesting, I will watch it.
Sono eiga ga omoshirokunakute mo, mimasu.
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Even if she is sick, she will work.
Kanojo ga byouki demo, hatarakimasu.
Concession (Even Though / Although / Despite)
- ～といっても〜to ittemoN3Express the meaning 'even though', 'although', 'but'.
- ～ところが〜tokoro gaN3Expresses a contrast or unexpected outcome; 'however'…
- A。それなのに B。~sorenanoniN2Express contrast or a contradiction between two situations…
- ～くせに〜kuse niN3Used to express criticism or disapproval; 'even though'…
- ～わりには〜wari ni waN3Expresses contrast between expectation and reality…
- ～にもかかわらず〜ni mo kakawarazuN2Expresses 'despite', 'in spite of' or 'even though'.
- ～ながらも〜nagara moN1Means 'even though' or 'despite'.
- Noun にしてNoun ni shiteN1Expresses the idea 'even for', 'even though', or 'in spite…
- ～とはいえ～to wa ieN1Even though; although; but
- ～といえども〜to iedomoN1Even if it is said that; Even though; Although.
- ～に反して〜ni hanshiteN2Contrary to, against, in spite of
- ～のに〜no niN4Used to express contrast between expectation and reality…
- ～ことは…が～koto wa... gaN3Indicates that while something may be true or valid, there…
- ～かと思いきや〜ka to omoikiyaN1Expressing unexpected outcomes; 'just when I thought...'…
Corpus examples (60)
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I think this book would be good to read again.
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To all appearance his statement was true.
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Sorry to bother, but could you give me your name?
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In doing anything, you must do your best.
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Do you mind if I open the window and let the smoke out?
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However late you may be, be sure to wake me.
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It doesn't matter whether he comes or not.
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Would it be OK if I went over to Tom's this afternoon?
「もう俺たちの邪魔をしないなら、今までのことは水に流してやってもいいけど？」「やけに寛大なんだな・・・」
"If you don't get in our way any more, I could see my way to letting bygones be bygones." "That's remarkably generous ..."
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May I go to the movies tonight?
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Whenever you come, I'll play Go with you.
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Come what may, I am ready.
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Even if you wash it, the color won't come out.
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Under no circumstances should you repeat this to anyone.
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It is difficult, if not impossible, for me to beat him at tennis.
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"May I use this telephone?" "Go ahead."
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May I eat this?
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Can I take off work tomorrow?
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Is it OK to freeze cheese?
このコップ、使ってもいいですか？
May I use this cup?
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May I use the bathroom?
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Can I borrow your hammer?
なんだかんだ言っても、やっぱりまだトムのことが好きなんでしょ？
You can spin it however you like, but the truth is that you still like Tom, don't you?
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Go where you will in Holland, you will see windmills.
あなたはパーティーに行ってもよいが、真夜中までには帰宅しなくてはいけない。
You may go to the party, but you must be home by midnight.