～ても (even if)

• Reading: ても
• Romaji: temo
• Formation: Verb て-form + も / い-Adj → -くても / な-Adj → でも / Noun + でも

Meaning

Expresses that the result in the main clause holds true regardless of the condition in the preceding clause. It conveys 'even if' or 'even though.'

ても connects two clauses where the main clause states a result that is contrary to what might be expected given the condition. For verbs, it is formed with the て-form plus も. For い-adjectives, it becomes -くても, and for な-adjectives and nouns, でも is used. It can express both hypothetical situations and actual situations. When combined with interrogative words, it creates 'no matter what/who/when/where' expressions, such as 何を食べてもおいしい. ても differs from のに in that のに refers only to confirmed facts, while ても can also express hypothetical concessions.

Examples

1. 雨が降っても試合はやります。 Even if it rains, we'll hold the match.
2. たくさん食べても太らない体質です。 Even though I eat a lot, I have a constitution that doesn't gain weight.
3. 値段が高くてもこの靴が欲しい。 Even if the price is high, I want these shoes.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: contrastive

Do Say

• 何度失敗しても諦めません。
• どんなに疲れていても笑顔でいたい。
• いくら説明しても分かってもらえなかった。

Don't Say

• たくさん勉強しても試験に落ちたのに。(ても and のに both express unexpectedness — combining them is redundant) → たくさん勉強しても試験に落ちた。
• 高いでも買いたい。(い-adjective concessive is 高くても, not 高いでも — でも is for nouns and な-adjectives) → 高くても買いたい。

Origin & History

ても combines the conjunctive particle て with the inclusive particle も, literally meaning 'even doing or being,' which naturally extends to concessive meaning.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal