Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering 「とも」: An In-Depth Look for Advanced Japanese Learners (JLPT N2)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

The grammar pattern 「とも」 is highly versatile and carries several meanings, primarily conveying concession (“even if/though”), expressing alternatives (“both A and B” or “neither A nor B”), or indicating a minimum/inclusion. It can also imply “despite being” when combined with certain phrases, often with a nuance of surprise or disappointment.

🎯 Primary Function

To express concession (“even if/though”), to state alternatives or uncertainty (“A or B”, “neither A nor B”), or to add emphasis to a quantity or status.

📋 Grammar Structure

**1. Concessive “Even if/though”:** * **Verb (Plain form) + とも** (e.g., 行くとも, 行かないとも) * **い-Adjective (Plain form) + とも** (e.g., 忙しいとも, 忙しくないとも) * **な-Adjective + である + とも** (e.g., 静かであるとも) * **Noun + である + とも** (e.g., 学生であるとも) *Note: Often combines with the volitional form (e.g., ～う／ようとも) for a stronger “no matter how much…” or “even if it means…” nuance.* **2. “Both A and B / Neither A nor B”:** * **Noun A とも Noun B とも** (followed by a verb like 言えない, つかない, どちらでもない) **3. “Despite being / As someone of”:** * **Noun + ともあろうものが** * **Noun + ともなると / ともなれば** (often implying “when it comes to someone/something of this level”)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in formal writing, speeches, and more polite or academic contexts, especially the concessive 「～とも」.

😊 Informal Situations

Less common in very casual, everyday spoken language compared to simpler alternatives like 「～ても」, but can appear depending on the nuance desired.

✍️ Written Language

Common in written materials such as news articles, essays, and literature due to its formal and somewhat literary nuance.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Can be used in spoken language, but often lends a more formal or emphatic tone. Its usage varies depending on the specific phrase and context.

💡 Common Applications

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Example Sentences
何があろう*とも*、私は決して彼の味方だ。
No matter what happens, I am always on his side.
それが真実である*とも*、信じがたい。
Even if that were true, it’s hard to believe.
彼の話は事実*とも*作り話*とも*判断できない。
His story cannot be judged as either fact or fiction.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Versatility
「とも」 is highly versatile and its meaning shifts significantly based on the preceding word or phrase. Pay close attention to the context.
Example: 「する**とも**しない**とも**言えない」 (Can’t say whether they will or won’t) vs. 「たとえ雨が降ろう**とも**」 (Even if it rains).
Formal/Literary Tone
Many usages of 「とも」, especially the concessive form with volitional, carry a more formal or literary nuance compared to simpler alternatives like 「～ても」.
Example: 「たとえ何があろう**とも**」 is more formal than 「たとえ何があっても」.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Overusing in casual speech
✅ While 「とも」 is versatile, some usages, particularly the concessive form, can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for 「～ても」 or 「～にしても」 for lighter contexts.
Using 「たとえ雨が降ろうとも、出かける」 in everyday conversation might sound stiff. 「雨が降っても、出かける」 is more natural.
❌ Confusing its various meanings
✅ Always check the surrounding context and the words directly preceding and following 「とも」 to determine its specific function.
「XともYとも言えない」 is distinct from 「V(volitional)とも」. Mistaking one for the other will lead to misinterpretation.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Varies. The concessive 「～とも」 can be formal, while 「～ともあろうものが」 is often critical/disappointing. 「AともBとも」 is neutral.
Social Situations: Used in a range of situations from formal debates and written reports to expressing nuanced opinions about people’s behavior. The “despite being” nuance is often used in situations where one holds a certain expectation of someone due to their status.
Regional Variations: The core meanings of 「とも」 are standard Japanese, but regional dialects might have their own specific particles or expressions for similar nuances.

🔍 Subtle Differences

「～とも」 vs. 「～ても」
Both express “even if/though”. 「～とも」 is generally more formal, literary, or emphasizes a strong resolve or an extreme condition. 「～ても」 is more common and versatile for general concession.
When to use: Use 「～とも」 when you want a more formal, strong, or determined tone, especially with volitional verbs (e.g., 「～う／ようとも」). Use 「～ても」 for everyday, general concessive statements.
「～とも」 vs. 「～にしても」
「～にしても」 also means “even if” or “even though,” often implying that the speaker accepts a premise but still has a counterpoint or reservation. 「とも」 can be a stronger, more direct concession.
When to use: Use 「～とも」 for direct, often resolved, concession. Use 「～にしても」 when you are considering a premise (even if hypothetical) and then expressing a related thought or reservation.
「～ともあろうものが」 vs. 「～はずがない」
「～ともあろうものが」 expresses disappointment or surprise that someone of a certain caliber would do something, implying it contradicts their expected behavior. 「～はずがない」 means “there’s no way that…” or “it can’t be that…”, expressing strong disbelief in a fact or expectation.
When to use: Use 「～ともあろうものが」 to express criticism or irony towards a person’s action given their status. Use 「～はずがない」 to express certainty that something is not true or will not happen.

📝 Conjugation Notes

**Concessive 「～とも」:** * **Verbs:** Plain form (dictionary form, ない-form, た-form) + とも. Often used with volitional form (V-よう/う + とも) for emphasis. * **い-Adjectives:** Plain form + とも. * **な-Adjectives:** な-Adj + である + とも. * **Nouns:** Noun + である + とも. **”Both A and B / Neither A nor B” 「AともBとも」:** * Connects two nouns (A and B). **”Despite being / As someone of” 「～ともあろうものが」:** * Connects a noun (referring to a person’s status/role) directly.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The pronunciation of 「とも」 is straightforward: と (to) as in “toe” and も (mo) as in “more”. When used with the volitional form (e.g., あろうとも), ensure a smooth flow from the long vowel sound to 「とも」.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「とも」 as having multiple hats: 1. **”Even if” (強い条件)**: Like a strong “even if,” often with resolve. 2. **”Either/Neither” (選択肢)**: When choosing between two things. 3. **”Someone of (status)” (立場)**: When expressing surprise or criticism about someone’s actions given their status. Associate each “hat” with a key example sentence.

Vocabulary List
困難
konnan
difficulty
達成する
tassei suru
to achieve
諦める
akirameru
to give up
後悔
koukai
regret
真実
shinjitsu
truth
信じがたい
shinjigatai
hard to believe
作り話
fiction, made-up story
Kanji List
困難
こんなん
difficulty
達成
たっせい
achievement
諦
あきら
to give up
後悔
こうかい
regret
真実
しんじつ
truth
信
しん
to believe
判断
はんだん
judgment
医者
いしゃ
doctor
不衛生
ふえいせい
unsanitary
手術
しゅじゅつ
surgery
許
ゆる
to permit, to forgive
Practice Exercises
どんなに疲れてい____、最後まで頑張ります。
あろうとも
いたとも
いるとも
いたとしたら
彼の話は、真実____作り話____区別がつかない。
とも／とも
なら／なら
か／か
で／で
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