Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“Although”, “Despite”, “Even though”
🎯 Primary Function
Used to express a statement that contradicts or goes against the expectation from the preceding clause. It indicates a contrast or concession, similar to “although” or “even though” in English, but often carries a nuance of unexpectedness or slight dissatisfaction with the result.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb (plain form) + ものの
i-adjective (plain form) + ものの
na-adjective + な + ものの
Noun + である + ものの (sometimes の is omitted: Noun + ものの, but である is more common and grammatically standard for Noun + ものの)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in formal situations, especially in written language or formal speeches/presentations.
Informal Situations
Less common in casual conversation compared to other conjunctions like けど or けれど, but not strictly formal.
Written Language
Frequently used in written contexts such as essays, articles, reports, and formal documents.
Spoken Language
Used in spoken language, but sounds slightly more formal or structured than common alternatives.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing a discrepancy between effort/condition and outcome.
Indicates that despite putting in effort or having a certain condition, the result was not as expected.
Example: 一生懸命勉強したものの、試験に落ちてしまった。 (Isshoukenmei benkyou shita monono, shiken ni ochite shimatta.) – Although I studied very hard, I failed the exam.
Highlighting a positive aspect followed by a negative or less desired aspect.
Presents something good or positive in the first part, followed by a contrasting negative or problematic point.
Example: このパソコンは新しいものの、動作が遅い。 (Kono pasokon wa atarashii monono, dousa ga osoi.) – Although this computer is new, its performance is slow.
Acknowledging a fact while stating something contrary to it.
Used to acknowledge a fact or situation described in the first clause, while the second clause presents something that contrasts with or is unexpected given that fact.
Example: 彼の言うことはもっともなものの、納得できない点もある。(Kare no iu koto wa mottomo na monono, nattoku dekinai ten mo aru.) – Although what he says is reasonable, there are points I cannot agree with.
Frequency
Moderately frequent, commonly encountered in written materials and formal-to-semi-formal spoken contexts at the N2 level.
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (N2). Understanding the nuance compared to similar patterns is key.
Example Sentences
長い間待ち続けたものの、彼は結局現れなかった。
Although I kept waiting for a long time, he didn’t appear in the end.
このレストランは値段が高いものの、味は素晴らしい。
Although this restaurant is expensive, the taste is wonderful.
健康のために運動を始めたものの、なかなか続かない。
Although I started exercising for my health, I can’t seem to continue it.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Connection rules
Pay close attention to the connection rules, especially for na-adjectives (needs な) and nouns (usually needs である).
Example: きれいなものの (Kirei **na** monono – Although it is beautiful)
学生であるものの (Gakusei **de aru** monono – Although I am a student)
Nuance of unexpectedness/slight dissatisfaction
ものの often implies that the result or consequence in the second clause is somewhat unexpected or unsatisfactory given the situation in the first clause.
Example: 一生懸命練習したものの、試合に負けた。(Isshoukenmei renshuu shita monono, shiai ni maketa.) – Although I practiced very hard, I lost the match. (Implies the loss was unexpected or disappointing after the hard work.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect connection, especially with na-adjectives and nouns.
✅ Use な before ものの for na-adjectives, and であるものの for nouns.
Attaching ものの directly after a na-adjective or noun is incorrect. e.g., きれいものの (incorrect), 学生ものの (incorrect).
❌ Using it in very casual conversation.
✅ While possible, it sounds less natural than けど/けれど or が in very casual settings.
ものの has a slightly more formal or literary feel. Using it in extremely casual chat might sound stiff.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Moderate formality. Suitable for standard polite Japanese.
Social Situations: Applicable in a range of situations from somewhat formal discussions to expressing personal contrasts, but less frequent in very intimate or casual talk.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations are noted for this grammar pattern.
🔍 Subtle Differences
ものの vs. けど / けれど / が
けど, けれど, and が are generally more common in everyday conversation and can simply state a contrast without necessarily implying strong unexpectedness or dissatisfaction.
When to use: Use ものの when you want to emphasize that the result is somewhat contrary to expectation or is a slight letdown given the premise. Use けど/けれど/が for more neutral or general contrasts.
ものの vs. にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
にもかかわらず is generally stronger and more formal, meaning “regardless of” or “in spite of”. It emphasizes that something happened *despite* an obstacle or condition.
When to use: Use ものの for a broader sense of “although” or “even though” where the contrast might not be a direct obstacle. Use にもかかわらず when you want to stress that something happened *unaffected* by the preceding condition.
ものの vs. たものの (past tense)
ものの connects to the plain form, which can be present or past. たものの specifically refers to a completed action or state in the first clause followed by a contrast.
When to use: Use たものの when the action or state in the first clause is clearly in the past and completed. Use the plain present form when the action/state is current or general.
📝 Conjugation Notes
Connects to the plain form of verbs and i-adjectives. Requires な for na-adjectives and usually である for nouns.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced monono (も の の). The “o” sounds are short. The emphasis is relatively flat.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of it as “mono no ni” (ものの に) meaning “despite the thing/fact that…”. The の represents the “fact” or “thing”.
Vocabulary List
一生懸命
isshoukenmei
very hard; with all one’s might
落ちる
ochiru
to fail (exam); to fall
動作
dousa
operation; movement; performance
遅い
osoi
slow
もっとも
mottomo
reasonable; natural; proper
納得できない
nattoku dekinai
cannot agree; cannot understand
懸念
concern; worry; fear
Kanji List
一生懸命
いっしょうけんめい
very hard; with all one’s might
勉強
べんきょう
study
試験
しけん
exam
落ちる
おちる
to fail; to fall
長い
ながい
long
間
あいだ
period; between
続ける
つづける
to continue
結局
けっきょく
in the end; after all
現れる
あらわれる
to appear
値段
ねだん
price
高い
たかい
high; expensive
Practice Exercises
彼はよく勉強している＿＿＿、成績が上がらない。
ものの
ために
ように
ので
このカメラは古い＿＿＿、まだ十分に使える。
なものの
ものの
であるものの
たものの
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