Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
Even so, despite that, nevertheless, still.
🎯 Primary Function
To connect two sentences where the second sentence happens in spite of the situation described in the first sentence.
📋 Grammar Structure
[Sentence A (Verb/Noun)]. それでも [Sentence B].
[Sentence A (i-adjective)]. それでも [Sentence B].
[Sentence A (na-adjective)]. それでも [Sentence B].
[Sentence A (Negative)]. それでも [Sentence B].
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Used in speeches and reports to show logical persistence or contradiction.
Informal Situations
Common in daily conversations to express stubbornness or surprise.
Written Language
Common in literature and news to contrast two facts.
Spoken Language
Very frequent in natural conversation.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing Persistence
Used to show that someone is continuing an action despite opposition or difficulty.
Example: あきらめろと言われた。それでも、私は続ける。 (I was told to give up. Even so, I will continue.)
Unexpected Results
Used when the expected outcome of a previous situation does not occur.
Example: 薬を飲んだ。それでも、熱が下がらない。 (I took medicine. Even so, the fever won’t go down.)
Acknowledging a Negative State
Used to acknowledge a flaw or problem while expressing a desire to proceed regardless.
Example: 不便だ。それでも、ここに住みたい。 (It’s inconvenient. Even so, I want to live here.)
Frequency
High
Difficulty
N4 (Intermediate)
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
雨が降っています。それでも、外に出ます。
Furigana: あめがふっています。それでも、そとにでます。
Romaji: Ame ga futte imasu. Soredemo, soto ni demasu.
English: It’s raining. Even so, I’m going out.
Example #2
このパソコンは高いです。それでも、買いたいです。
Furigana: このパソコンはたかいです。それでも、かいたいです。
Romaji: Kono pasokon wa takai desu. Soredemo, kaitai desu.
English: This computer is expensive. Even so, I want to buy it.
Example #3
一生懸命勉強しました。それでも、試験に失敗しました。
Furigana: いっしょうけんめいべんきょうしました。それでも、しけんにしっぱいしました。
Romaji: Isshoukenmei benkyou shimashita. Soredemo, shiken ni shippai shimashita.
English: I studied hard. Nevertheless, I failed the exam.
Example #4
みんなが反対しました。それでも、彼は実行しました。
Furigana: みんながはんたいしました。それでも、かれはじっこうしました。
Romaji: Minna ga hantai shimashita. Soredemo, kare wa jikkou shimashita.
English: Everyone opposed the plan. Still, he carried it out.
Example #5
料理は冷たかったです。それでも、美味しかったです。
Furigana: りょうりはつめたかったです。それでも、おいしかったです。
Romaji: Ryouri wa tsumetakatta desu. Soredemo, oishikatta desu.
English: The food was cold. Even so, it was delicious.
Example #6
彼は忙しいです。それでも、パーティーに来ます。
Furigana: かれはいそがしいです。それでも、パーティーにきます。
Romaji: Kare wa isogashii desu. Soredemo, paatii ni kimasu.
English: He is very busy. Even so, he comes to the party.
Example #7
道は危険です。それでも、行かなければなりません。
Furigana: みちはきけんです。それでも、いかなければなりません。
Romaji: Michi wa kiken desu. Soredemo, ikanakereba narimasen.
English: The road is dangerous. Still, we have to go.
Example #8
とても疲れています。それでも、仕事を終わらせなければなりません。
Furigana: とてもつかれています。それでも、しごとをおわらせなければなりません。
Romaji: Totemo tsukarete imasu. Soredemo, shigoto o owarasenakereba narimasen.
English: I’m very tired. Even so, I must finish my work.
Example #9
誰も彼の話を信じませんでした。それでも、彼は真実を話し続けました。
Furigana: だれもかれのはなしをしんじませんでした。それでも、かれはしんじつをはなしつづけました。
Romaji: Dare mo kare no hanashi o shinjimasen deshita. Soredemo, kare wa shinjitsu o hanashi tsuzukemashita.
English: No one believed his story. Even so, he kept telling the truth.
Example #10
もう真夜中です。それでも、コンビニは開いています。
Furigana: もうまよなかです。それでも、コンビニはあいています。
Romaji: Mou mayonaka desu. Soredemo, konbini wa aite imasu.
English: It’s already midnight. Even so, the convenience store is open.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Strong Contrast
The contrast between Sentence A and Sentence B must be strong. Sentence B is often the opposite of what is expected from Sentence A.
Example: 危ない。それでも行きたい。
Sentence Starter
Unlike ‘-temo’ which joins clauses, ‘Soredemo’ stands alone to emphasize the contrast between two complete thoughts.
Example: 雨が降っている。それでも、彼は走っている。
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 雨が降っています。それで、行きましょう。 (intended: Even so, let’s go)
✅ それでも、行きましょう。
‘Sorede’ means ‘therefore’ or ‘so’. Use ‘Soredemo’ to show contrast.
❌ 高いです、それでも買いたいです。 (grammar structure error)
✅ 高くても、買いたいです。
‘Soredemo’ usually starts a new sentence. To combine them into one, use the ‘-temo’ form.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. It can be used in both polite (Desu/Masu) and casual forms.
Social Situations: Often used to show strong willpower or a ‘never give up’ attitude (Gambaru culture).
Regional Variations: Standard across Japan.
🔍 Subtle Differences
それでも vs しかし (Shikashi)
‘Shikashi’ is a general ‘but’. ‘Soredemo’ specifically means ‘despite that’ or ‘even so’.
When to use: Use ‘Soredemo’ when you want to emphasize that the second part is surprising given the first.
それでも vs のに (Noni)
‘Noni’ is used within one sentence to show complaint or surprise. ‘Soredemo’ starts a new sentence.
When to use: Use ‘Soredemo’ for more impact or when the sentences are long.
📝 Conjugation Notes
‘Soredemo’ is a conjunction (setsuzokushi) and does not conjugate. It is placed at the beginning of the second sentence.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Place a slight pause after ‘Soredemo’ when starting the second sentence to emphasize the contrast.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of it as ‘Sore’ (that/the situation) + ‘demo’ (even). So, ‘Even with that (situation)…’
Other Grammar
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