ても
temo
Even; even if; even though
A conditional particle that expresses 'even if' or 'even though', setting up a contrast between a condition and an unexpected or opposite result.
How to form it
Attach to the て-form of verbs and adjectives, and to the copula だ (which becomes でも). For verbs, use the て-form (e.g., 行っても). For い-adjectives, use くて + も (e.g., 高くても). For な-adjectives and nouns, use でも (e.g., 静かでも, 学生でも).
What it means
This ても means 'even if' or 'even though'. It introduces a condition that normally would prevent something, but the result still happens or is still true. For example, if you say 雨が降っても行く, you mean that rain is a potential obstacle, but you will go anyway. The pattern is used to emphasize that the result is unaffected by the condition. You can use it with verbs, adjectives, and nouns. With verbs, use the て-form: 食べて + も = 食べても. With い-adjectives, change い to くて and add も: 高くて + も = 高くても. With な-adjectives and nouns, just add でも: 静かでも, 学生でも. Note that でも (with で from だ) is also used as a separate particle meaning 'but' or 'or something', but here it is part of this conditional pattern. This ても is common in both speaking and writing, and it is polite enough for most situations. It is a key pattern for expressing concession.
Example sentences
雨が降っても、試合はあります。
Ame ga futte mo, shiai wa arimasu.
Even if it rains, the game will take place.
高くても、そのかばんを買いたいです。
Takakute mo, sono kaban o kaitai desu.
Even if it's expensive, I want to buy that bag.
先生でも、間違えることがあります。
Sensei demo, machigaeru koto ga arimasu.
Even a teacher can make mistakes.
Don’t confuse it with
ても (but, however)
The other ても is a sentence-initial conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however'. For example, 'あの店は高いです。でも、おいしいです' (That restaurant is expensive. But it's delicious). In that case, でも is a separate word, not attached to a verb or adjective. If ても is attached to a verb or adjective form, it means 'even if'.
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This pattern is used in both casual and formal speech and writing, and is appropriate for all situations.
Other meanings of ても
でもbut; however · N5でも... or something · N4Next in the N4 path
9Questions
What does ても mean?
Even; even if; even though. A conditional particle that expresses 'even if' or 'even though', setting up a contrast between a condition and an unexpected or opposite result.
How do you form ても?
Attach to the て-form of verbs and adjectives, and to the copula だ (which becomes でも). For verbs, use the て-form (e.g., 行っても). For い-adjectives, use くて + も (e.g., 高くても). For な-adjectives and nouns, use でも (e.g., 静かでも, 学生でも).
Example of ても in a sentence
雨が降っても、試合はあります。 — Even if it rains, the game will take place.
ても (but, however) — what is the difference?
The other ても is a sentence-initial conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however'. For example, 'あの店は高いです。でも、おいしいです' (That restaurant is expensive. But it's delicious). In that case, でも is a separate word, not attached to a verb or adjective. If ても is attached to a verb or adjective form, it means 'even if'.
What JLPT level is ても?
JLPT N4 (upper beginner), number 8 of 131 in Nihoner's learning order for N4.
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