Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“Even if,” “Even supposing,” “Granting that,” “Though.” It introduces a hypothetical or conceded situation, often followed by a consequence that holds true despite that situation.
🎯 Primary Function
To express a concession or a hypothetical condition, implying that the following statement is still valid or a certain outcome will still occur, regardless of the initial premise. It highlights that the main clause’s content is true *even under* the condition presented by the としても clause.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb (Plain Form) + としても
い-adjective (Plain Form) + としても
な-adjective (Plain Form / だ・である) + としても (e.g., 静かだとしても, 静かであるとしても)
Noun (Plain Form / だ・である) + としても (e.g., 学生だとしても, 学生であるとしても)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Yes, can be used in formal writing and speech to present a logical argument or to concede a point politely.
Informal Situations
Yes, commonly used in everyday conversation, though sometimes shortened or replaced by similar expressions depending on the nuance.
Written Language
Very common in written language (essays, articles, formal reports) to establish clear logical relationships.
Spoken Language
Frequently used in spoken Japanese for discussions, debates, or expressing opinions.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing an unchangeable consequence.
Even if the initial condition is met, the result remains the same or the opposite of what one might expect.
Example: たとえ雨が降ったとしても、試合は中止になりません。(Even if it rains, the game won’t be canceled.)
Conceding a point in an argument.
Acknowledging a possibility or truth, but still asserting a different viewpoint or outcome.
Example: 彼の言うことが本当だとしても、私は信じない。(Even if what he says is true, I won’t believe it.)
Stating a hypothetical worst-case scenario.
Considering an extreme or unlikely possibility and discussing its implications.
Example: 最悪の事態になったとしても、最後まで諦めません。(Even if the worst happens, I won’t give up until the end.)
Frequency
Moderately frequent in everyday conversation and formal contexts, especially in discussions and reasoned arguments.
Difficulty
Intermediate to advanced (N2). The concept is straightforward, but distinguishing it from similar patterns requires nuance.
Example Sentences
日本のどこに住むとしても、家賃は高いだろう。
Wherever you live in Japan, the rent will probably be expensive.
どんなに忙しいとしても、健康に気をつけなければならない。
No matter how busy you are, you must take care of your health.
たとえ失敗したとしても、後悔はありません。
Even if I fail, I have no regrets.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Often used with 「たとえ」 (tatoe) or 「どんなに」 (donna ni).
「たとえ」 emphasizes the hypothetical nature (“even if by chance”), and 「どんなに」 emphasizes the degree (“no matter how much/many”). While 「としても」 can stand alone, these adverbs strengthen the concessive meaning.
Example: たとえ遠いとしても、行きたいです。(Even if it’s far, I want to go.)
Expresses that the latter clause is true *despite* the former clause.
The content of the main clause is presented as an unchangeable fact or strong assertion, irrespective of the hypothetical or conceded condition in the としても clause.
Example: 彼が嘘をついているとしても、証拠がない。(Even if he is lying, there’s no proof.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Confusing with simple conditional 「ば」「なら」「と」「たら」.
✅ 「としても」 explicitly states a concession or strong hypothesis, meaning the outcome in the main clause occurs *despite* the condition. Simple conditionals describe a cause-and-effect relationship without this concessive nuance.
「雨が降ったら、試合は中止です」(If it rains, the game is canceled) is a simple condition. 「雨が降ったとしても、試合は中止になりません」(Even if it rains, the game won’t be canceled) shows concession.
❌ Incorrectly attaching to nouns/na-adjectives without 「だ」 or 「である」.
✅ Nouns and Na-adjectives must be in their plain form followed by 「だ」 or 「である」 before 「としても」.
Incorrect: 「学生としても」 -> Correct: 「学生だとしても」 or 「学生であるとしても」.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral to slightly formal. Its logical and concessive nature makes it suitable for reasoned arguments without being overly casual or overly stiff.
Social Situations: Used in discussions, debates, explaining one’s stance, or expressing understanding while maintaining one’s own opinion.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in its core meaning or usage.
🔍 Subtle Differences
としても vs. としたら (toshitara)
「としても」 focuses on a concession (“even if”). 「としたら」 focuses on a hypothetical (“if it were the case that…”). 「としたら」 is more about setting up a hypothetical situation for consideration.
When to use: Use 「としても」 when you want to emphasize that something is true *despite* the condition. Use 「としたら」 when you want to explore the consequences *if* a certain situation were to occur.
としても vs. にしても (ni shitemo) / にしろ (ni shiro)
「にしても/にしろ」 are often interchangeable with 「としても」, but 「にしても/にしろ」 can sometimes imply “whether it’s X or Y” or “at least.” 「としても」 is a bit more direct in its concessive “even if” meaning. 「にしても」 often implies “even so” or “even if it’s true.”
When to use: 「としても」 is generally safe for “even if.” 「にしても」 can also mean “even if” but often carries a nuance of judging something as not good enough or less than expected *even given* the condition. 「にしろ」 can also mean “whether A or B, it’s the same.”
としても vs. とはいえ (to wa ie)
「とはいえ」 means “although it is said that” or “be that as it may.” It acknowledges a fact but then presents a counter-argument or a contrasting reality. 「としても」 is about a hypothetical or conceded premise, whereas 「とはいえ」 refers to something that is presented as a fact.
When to use: Use 「としても」 for hypothetical/conceded conditions. Use 「とはいえ」 when acknowledging a fact but then introducing a contradictory point.
📝 Conjugation Notes
Remember to use the plain form (dictionary form, past tense, negative forms) for verbs and i-adjectives. For na-adjectives and nouns, remember to add だ or である.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
「としても」 is pronounced as a single unit, with a slight pause often occurring before it when it follows a clause. The ‘t’ in と is unvoiced.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「とし」 as “as for doing/being” and 「ても」 as “even if.” So, “even if it is/were the case that…” The 「と」 indicates a quotation or condition, and 「しても」 is like 「する」 (to do) in the ても form (even if doing).
Vocabulary List
家賃
yachin
rent
忙しい
isogashii
busy
健康
kenkou
health
気をつけなければならない
ki wo tsukenakereba naranai
must take care
失敗
shippai
failure, mistake
後悔
koukai
regret
プロの選手
professional athlete
Kanji List
家
いえ
house, home
賃
ちん
fare, rent
忙
ぼう
busy
健
けん
healthy
康
こう
health
気
き
spirit, mind
付
つ
attach, join
失
しつ
fault, error, lose
敗
はい
failure, defeat
後
ご
behind, after
悔
かい
regret
Practice Exercises
彼女はたとえ____としても、私には関係ない。
結婚した
結婚すれば
結婚したら
結婚するだろう
どんなに____としても、このプロジェクトは完成させるべきだ。
難しい
難しかった
難しくても
難しいだ
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