Conditionals & Concession

Introduction

Advanced conditionals express hypothetical extremes, strong emphasis, and concessions with nuance far beyond basic "if-then". These patterns are powerful tools for argument and persuasion.

They distinguish truly advanced Japanese from intermediate-level expression.

Themes

All Japanese Grammar Advanced in This Chapter (16)

1. ～であれ であれ A concessive conjunctive form meaning 'even if it is' or 'no matter whether it is.' It emphasizes that the main clause holds true regardl...
2. ～であれ～であれ であれであれ A parallel concessive structure meaning 'whether A or B' or 'no matter which one is the case.' It presents two contrasting options and st...
3. ～ようと・～ようが ようと・ようが A concessive conjunction meaning 'no matter how' or 'even if.' It expresses that the result remains unchanged regardless of the extreme c...
4. ～ようにも～ない ようにも A concessive expression meaning 'even if one wants to do something, one cannot.' It conveys frustrated inability where the desire or inte...
5. ～ようものなら ようものなら A hypothetical conditional meaning 'if one were to dare' or 'should one happen to.' It presents an undesirable hypothetical action and wa...
6. ～ようでは ようでは A critical conditional meaning 'if it is the case that' or 'if things are such that.' It presents an observed or assumed undesirable situ...
7. （っ）たって (1) たって The informal, colloquial equivalent of ても, meaning 'even if' or 'no matter how much.' It expresses concession in casual speech, indicatin...
8. （っ）たって (2) ったって The contracted colloquial form of と言っても or としても, meaning 'even if you say' or 'even though it is said that.' It downplays or qualifies a ...
9. ～ても～ても ても A concessive structure that repeats ても to emphasize that no matter how much or how many times one performs an action, the expected result...
10. ～が～なら がなら A structure used to present two parallel qualities or shortcomings, meaning 'if A is like that, then B is also like that.' It implies tha...
11. ～ものの ものの A formal conjunctive expression meaning 'although' or 'even though.' It states a fact in the first clause and then presents a contrasting...
12. ～ものを ものを A conjunctive expression meaning 'although' or 'even though,' carrying a strong tone of regret, frustration, or reproach. It implies that...
13. ～ものなら ものなら A conditional expression meaning 'if it were possible to' or 'if one could.' It presents a hypothetical situation that the speaker wishes...
14. ～といえども といえども A formal conjunctive expression meaning 'even though' or 'even if it is said that.' It concedes a status, reputation, or fact while asser...
15. ～とは言え とはいえ A conjunctive expression meaning 'having said that,' 'although,' or 'that said.' It acknowledges a preceding fact or statement before int...
16. ～ども ども An archaic and literary concessive conjunction meaning 'although' or 'even though.' It expresses concession based on an actual state or c...