Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
「それにしても」 (sore ni shite mo) fundamentally means “even so,” “nevertheless,” or “be that as it may.” It acknowledges a preceding statement or situation but then introduces a strong personal impression, judgment, or feeling that goes beyond or seems surprising in light of that preceding information.
🎯 Primary Function
Its primary function is to express a strong personal reaction, often one of surprise, wonder, or even criticism, despite the recognition of a previously stated fact or circumstance. It emphasizes that the degree or nature of the subsequent statement is remarkable or unexpected.
📋 Grammar Structure
「それにしても」 functions as a conjunctive adverb or adverbial phrase. It typically connects two clauses or sentences. It follows a complete thought or statement, often a sentence in plain form, and introduces the subsequent remark or judgment. Structure: [Sentence/Phrase A]. それにしても、[Sentence/Phrase B].
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in formal contexts, but often carries a slightly more emphatic or emotional tone, making it more common in contexts where a personal opinion or reaction is appropriate.
Informal Situations
Very commonly used in informal conversations to express personal surprise, wonder, or to make a strong point.
Written Language
Found in essays, articles, personal reflections, and dialogues in literature to convey a strong personal sentiment or judgment.
Spoken Language
Extremely common in spoken Japanese as a natural way to react to information with a strong feeling or a sense of “going beyond” the obvious.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing Surprise or Strong Impression
Used when something is more extreme or remarkable than expected, even considering a known fact.
Example: 彼はまだ子供だけど、それにしても、この絵の才能はすごいね。(He’s still a child, but even so, his talent for this painting is amazing.)
Introducing a Critical or Strong Remark
Used to acknowledge a situation but then introduce a strong, sometimes critical, opinion or judgment about it.
Example: 大変な努力をしたのはわかるけど、それにしても、この結果はひどすぎる。(I understand you made a great effort, but even so, these results are too terrible.)
Acknowledging a Fact while Adding an Opinion of Degree
Used to agree with or acknowledge a preceding statement, but then add an opinion that emphasizes the extent or significance.
Example: このレストランは高いと聞いていたけど、それにしても、こんなに美味しいとは！(I’d heard this restaurant was expensive, but even so, to be this delicious!)
Frequency
Moderately frequent in everyday conversation, media, and various forms of writing.
Difficulty
N2 (Intermediate-Advanced). The difficulty lies in accurately grasping its nuance of strong personal impression/surprise/judgment and using it appropriately in context.
Example Sentences
彼女はまだ学生だが、それにしても仕事の覚えが早すぎる。
She’s still a student, but even so, she’s learning the job incredibly fast.
あの店は人気があるのはわかるけど、それにしても毎日行列ができているのは驚きだ。
I understand that shop is popular, but even so, it’s surprising that there’s a queue every day.
彼は大変な努力をしたと聞いているが、それにしても、あの結果は厳しすぎる。
I heard he made a great effort, but even so, those results are too harsh.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Expresses Strong Personal Impression
「それにしても」 is used when the speaker has a strong, often surprising, impression or judgment about something, even after considering a previously mentioned fact. It often implies that the extent or nature of the situation is remarkable or goes beyond what was expected.
Example: 彼は病気だったらしいが、それにしても、顔色がずいぶん悪い。(It seems he was sick, but even so, his complexion is really bad.)
Connects Two Thoughts
It typically connects two complete thoughts, where the second thought is a reaction, comment, or judgment based on the first, but with an added nuance of “despite that” or “even if that is true.”
Example: 彼の給料は低いそうだが、それにしても、生活はかなり豊かだ。(I hear his salary is low, but even so, his life seems quite affluent.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it as a simple “but” (しかし, でも)
✅ 「それにしても」 adds a stronger nuance of “even considering that” or “despite that,” emphasizing a surprising or extreme outcome. It’s not just a connector for contrasting ideas.
While all can express contrast, 「それにしても」 specifically highlights that the speaker’s subsequent remark is a strong or surprising observation *in light of* the preceding information, often implying a degree that exceeds expectations. Simple “but” conjunctions lack this emphasis.
❌ Using it without a clear preceding context
✅ 「それにしても」 always refers back to something previously stated or understood from the context.
It acts as a bridge, acknowledging prior information before delivering a strong, often unexpected, reaction or judgment. Without that preceding context, its usage can feel abrupt or unclear.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. The politeness of the overall sentence depends on the conjugation and politeness level of the words that follow 「それにしても」.
Social Situations: Used to express a strong personal opinion or feeling, so consider the context and your relationship with the listener. While not inherently impolite, a direct, strong statement might be perceived as such depending on the situation.
Regional Variations: Generally standard Japanese, without significant regional variations in usage or meaning.
🔍 Subtle Differences
それにしても vs. とはいっても
「それにしても」 expresses a strong personal impression, surprise, or judgment that goes beyond what’s expected from a given situation. 「とはいえ(っても)」 acknowledges a fact but then introduces a counter-argument or a different, often contradictory, perspective, often implying a “having said that…” type of nuance.
When to use: Use 「それにしても」 when you want to convey a strong personal reaction (surprise, wonder, criticism) to a situation. Use 「とはいえ(っても)」 when you want to acknowledge a fact but then present an argument or condition that runs contrary to it.
それにしても vs. それでも
「それにしても」 focuses on the degree or nature of a situation being remarkable or surprising *despite* a known fact. 「それでも」 focuses on persistence or an action/state continuing *despite* a difficulty or obstacle.
When to use: Use 「それにしても」 when you are making a strong observation about the extent or surprising aspect of something. Use 「それでも」 when you want to show that something happens or continues despite a preceding difficulty or negative circumstance.
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📝 Conjugation Notes
「それにしても」 is an adverbial phrase and does not conjugate itself. It typically follows a complete sentence or clause, which can be in any tense or form (plain form is common).
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced /so-re-ni-shi-te-mo/. The “ni” is pronounced as a particle, and the “shite mo” flows naturally. Pay attention to the intonation, which often carries the nuance of surprise or emphasis on the subsequent statement.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of it as “Even if that is the case…” or “Even if that is true…” where “that” refers to the preceding information. The “も” (mo) emphasizes the “even.”
Vocabulary List
それにしても
sore ni shite mo
even so, nevertheless, be that as it may
学生
gakusei
student
仕事
shigoto
job, work
覚える
oboeru
to learn, to remember
早い
hayai
fast, early
人気
ninki
popularity
分かる
to understand
Kanji List
学
gaku
study, learning
生
sei
life, birth, student
仕
shi
attend, do
事
koto
matter, thing, fact
早
haya
fast, early
人
nin/jin
person
気
ki
spirit, mind, air
分
bun/fun/wa
part, minute, understand
毎
mai
every
日
nichi/hi
day, sun
行
gyō/i
go, conduct, line
Practice Exercises
A: 彼はよく勉強したんだよ。B: ____、合格できなかったのは残念だ。
しかし
それにしても
そして
たとえ
雨が降っていた。____、たくさんの人がイベントに来ていた。
だけれども
それにしても
それから
だから
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