Conditions and contrast

～ても

even if ~; even though ~

AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)

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How to form it

  • Verb (て-form) + も: 食べても (でも after ん/ぎ etc.: 飲んでも)
  • い-adjective: ～くても
  • な-adjective / Noun: ～でも
  • Question word + ても: いくら読んでも, 何度言っても

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Shows that something is true despite a condition or fact.

The main clause does not change in spite of the condition. With いくら or たとえ it is emphasised.

Examples

  1. 雨が降っても、行きます。

    あめがふっても、いきます。

    I'll go even if it rains.

  2. 高くても、このかばんを買いたい。

    たかくても、このかばんをかいたい。

    I want to buy this bag even if it is expensive.

  3. 何度聞いても、分からない。

    なんどきいても、わからない。

    However many times I ask, I don't understand.

  4. 寝ても、疲れがとれない。

    ねても、つかれがとれない。

    Even when I sleep, I don't recover from the tiredness.

Compare with

  • ～のに: ～のに expresses surprise or complaint about an actual fact.
  • ～てもいい: ～てもいい is permission.

Common mistakes

  • Using ても for a real, established fact where ～のに fits better.
  • Using the た-form before も.