それにしても
Nevertheless, Even so
Structure
Explanation
それにしても is an expression that builds on the meaning of にしても ('even if', 'even though'). It can be translated as 'even so', 'nevertheless', or 'that being said', and is used to acknowledge what was just mentioned before presenting the speaker's actual main point.
In most situations, それにしても indicates that while the speaker understands or agrees with the preceding fact, they want to emphasize that there is another important aspect to consider.
それにしても is almost always placed at the very beginning of a sentence, or right after a comma.
- テストが難しかったのは分かるが、それにしてもこの点数は低すぎる。I get that the test was hard, but even so, this score is just too low.
- 連休だから混むとは思っていたが、それにしてもすごい人だね。I knew it would be crowded because of the long weekend, but even so, this is an incredible number of people.
- 彼はまだ子供だ。それにしても、言い方がひどすぎる。He's only a child. Nevertheless, his way of speaking is just awful.
Since それにしても is used when the speaker already accepts fact (A), the following statement (B) will often emphasize something that goes far beyond what one would normally expect in that situation.
- このアパートが狭いとは聞いていたけどね。それにしても、本当に小さいなあ。I'd heard this apartment was cramped. Even so, it really is tiny, isn't it?
- 今日は一日お疲れ様でした。それにしても、今日は暑かったですね！Great work today. That being said, it was incredibly hot today, wasn't it!
Examples
有名なブランドとは聞いているが、それにしても、この値段は高すぎる。
I've heard it's a famous brand, but even so, this price is just too high.
今日は暑くなるとは聞いていたが、それにしても、この猛暑は異常だ。
I heard it was going to be hot today, but nevertheless, this heatwave is abnormal.
人気のレストランだと知っているが、それにしても、２時間待ちはひどい。
I know it's a popular restaurant, but even so, a two-hour wait is ridiculous.
この仕事が大変なのは覚悟していた。それにしても、毎日残業だなんて聞いていない。
I was prepared for this job to be difficult. Even so, I wasn't told there would be overtime every single day.
彼がまだ若いのは分かるが、それにしても、あのピアノの技術は天才的だ。
I know he's still young, but even so, his piano skill is that of a genius.
駅から遠いとは思っていたが、それにしても、バスで３０分もかかるとは。
I thought it was far from the station, but nevertheless, I didn't expect it to take a full 30 minutes by bus.
疲れているのは分かるが、それにしても、会議中に寝るのは失礼だろう。
I understand he's tired, but even so, sleeping during a meeting is just rude.
一生懸命洗ったんだけど、それにしても、この汚れは全然落ちない。
I washed it as hard as I could, but even so, this stain won't come out at all.
彼が大食いなのは知っている。それにしても、ラーメンを５杯も食べるなんて信じられない。
I know he's a big eater. Even so, I can't believe he ate five bowls of ramen.
子供が騒がしいのは当たり前だが、それにしても、電車の中で走り回るのは迷惑だ。
It's normal for kids to be noisy, but even so, it's a nuisance for them to be running around inside the train.
ミスだったのは理解できる。それにしても、会社に与えた損害が大きすぎる。
I understand it was a mistake. Nevertheless, the damage it caused the company is far too great.
試験のためにたくさん勉強した。それにしても、ここまで難しいとは予想していなかった。
I studied a lot for the exam. Even so, I didn't expect it to be this difficult.