～ても・でも
Even if, Even though
Structure
［い］Adjective［て］＋も
［な］Adjective＋で＋も
Noun＋で＋も
Verb［なくて］＋も
［い］Adjective［なくて］＋も
［な］Adjective＋でなくて(1)＋も
Noun＋でなくて(1)＋も
(1) じゃなくて
Explanation
By attaching the adverbial particle も to the conjunction particle て (or the case-marking particle で), you can create the meaning 'even if (A)' or 'even though (A)'.
For verbs and い-Adjectives, convert the word to its て-form before adding も.
For nouns and な-Adjectives, the form will be でも.
- 雨が降っても、出かけます。Even if it rains, I'm going out.
- そのカメラは高くても、買いたいです。I want to buy that camera even though it's expensive.
- 図書館は静かでも、集中できません。Even though the library is quiet, I can't concentrate.
- 子供でもこのゲームができます。Even a child can play this game.
This grammar point can also be attached to negative forms to express 'even if not (A)' or 'even though not (A)'.
- 朝ごはんは食べなくても大丈夫です。It's fine even if you don't eat breakfast.
- 暑くなくても、エアコンをつけましょう。Let's turn on the AC, even if it's not hot.
- 便利じゃなくても、ここに住みたいです。Even if it's not convenient, I want to live here.
- 日本人じゃなくても、寿司が好きです。Even though I'm not Japanese, I like sushi.
Fun Fact
でも, the form used with nouns and な-Adjectives, is frequently treated as its own adverbial particle. There is some discussion among native speakers about whether でも is a distinct word, or simply the particles で and も used together. For the sake of learning, it is often simplest to think of でも as its own grammatical unit.
Examples
一生懸命勉強しても、成績が上がらない。
Even if I study hard, my grades don't improve.
薬を飲んでも、頭痛が治らない。
Even if I take this medicine, my headache won't go away.
値段が高くても、それを買いたいです。
Even if it's expensive, I want to buy it.
何回説明しても、彼は理解してくれない。
No matter how many times I explain it, he doesn't understand.
彼が謝っても、私は許しません。
Even if he apologizes, I will not forgive him.
エアコンをつけても、部屋があまり涼しくならない。
Even if I turn on the air conditioner, the room doesn't get very cool.
地図を見ても、道に迷ってしまった。
Even though I looked at the map, I still got lost.
便利でも、スマホに頼りすぎるのはよくない。
Even though they are convenient, it's not good to rely too much on smartphones.
お金がたくさんあっても、幸せになれるとは限らない。
Even if you have a lot of money, it doesn't guarantee you'll be happy.
急いでも、約束の時間には間に合わないでしょう。
Even if we hurry, we probably won't make it in time for the appointment.
嫌いでも、野菜は食べたほうがいいよ。
Even if you dislike them, you should still eat your vegetables.
先生に聞いても、答えがわからないかもしれない。
Even if you ask the teacher, they might not know the answer.