In Japanese we use expressions like ても transcribed temo, のに transcribed noni, and けれども transcribed keredomo to connect two sentences that contrast with one another. For example, you might use them to translate sentences like:
- Even if it rains, the concert will not be canceled.
- Even though I didn't study at all, I did well on the test.
These three expressions are very similar in meaning, but there are some important differences:
- てもTranscription: temoTranslation: even if; even though
- のにTranscription: noniTranslation: even though; despite
- けれどもTranscription: keredomoTranslation: although
In this post, we will explore how to use each of these expressions and point out some of the differences between them. Are you ready? Let's dive in!
How to contrast two situations in Japanese?
When you want to present a contrast between two situations or events in Japanese, you’ll always follow the general pattern below:
Situation / Event
Connector
Unexpected Event
Think of the sentence order you’d use in “Even though I didn't study at all, I did well on the test.” This similarly consists of the situation (I didn't study) followed by an unexpected event (I did well on the test).
The three main connectors when contrasting situations or events are: ても transcribed temo, のに transcribed noni, and けれども transcribed keredomo. Let’s look more closely at when to use each one!
Using ても [temo] for contrast
The expression ても transcribed temo is used to link two contrasting ideas, either either a hypothetical context (“even if…”) or a factual one (“even though…”).
- Hypothetical:雨が降っても、出かけます。Transcription: Ame ga futte mo, dekakemasu.Translation: Even if it rains, I will go out.
- Factual:たくさん練習しても、あまり上手になりませんでした。Transcription: Takusan renshū shite mo, amari jōzu ni narimasen deshita.Translation: Even though I practiced a lot, I didn’t get much better.
This expression is technically composed of two parts: the て transcribed te ending of a word in its te-form, and the particle も transcribed mo.
The te-form is a connecting form of a word that ends in て transcribed te or sometimes で transcribed de in this case, the last word of the first situation you’re mentioning.
The particle も transcribed mo is often used to link two ideas together.
Here are some examples of how you can use the te-form in sentences where ても transcribed te mo means “even if…”
| Dictionary | te-form | Example |
|---|---|---|
いく Transcription: iku Translation: to go verb | 行って Transcription: itte | カラオケに行っても、歌いません。 Transcription: Karaoke ni itte mo, utaimasen. Translation: Even if I go to karaoke, I won’t sing. |
たかい Transcription: takai Translation: expensive i-adjective | 高くて Transcription: takute | 高くても、買います。 Transcription: Takakute mo, kaimasu. Translation: Even if it’s expensive, I will buy (it). |
きらい Transcription: kirai Translation: disliked na-adjective | 嫌いで Transcription: kirai de | 嫌いでも、野菜は食べましょう。 Transcription: Kirai de mo, yasai wa tabemashō. Translation: Even if you don’t like vegetables, you should eat (them). |
みせいねん Transcription: miseinen Translation: underage noun | 未成年で Transcription: miseinen de | 未成年でも、入れます。 Transcription: Miseinen de mo, hairemasu. Translation: Even if you’re underage, you can go in. |
良くない Transcription: yokunai Translation: not good negative adjective | よくなくて Transcription: yoku nakute | 天気がよくなくても、ハイキングに行きます。 Transcription: Tenki ga yoku nakute mo, haikingu ni ikimasu. Translation: Even if the weather is not good, I will (still) go on a hike. |
You can use ても transcribed temo more than once in a sentence, like this:
Using のに [noni] for contrast
The expression のに transcribed noni is only used to link together two factual ideas, never hypotheticals, so it means something more like “even though” or “despite.” To use this expression, simply add it after the first situation or event. The predicate (final word) of that first situation must be in its plain predicative form.
You’re likely to hear のに transcribed noni when there is a strong contrast between the two situations or events. This is most often used if the speaker has strong feelings about the contrast, especially negative feelings, like frustration or disappointment.
- plain affirmative verb毎日勉強したのに、テストは悪かったです。Transcription: Mainichi benkyō shita noni, tesuto wa warukatta desu.Translation: Even though I studied every day, I did poorly on the exam.
- plain affirmative i-adjectiveあついのに、コートを着ています。Transcription: Atsui noni, kōto o kite imasu.Translation: Even though it’s hot, (the person) is wearing a coat.
- plain affirmative na-adjective仕事は 大変なのに、給料は安いです。Transcription: Shigoto wa taihen na noni, kyūryō wa yasui desu.Translation: Even though the job is tough, the salary is low.
- plain affirmative noun学生なのに、家を持っています。Transcription: Gakusei na noni, ie o motte imasu.Translation: Even though (they are) students, they have their own house.
- plain negative音楽が好きじゃないのに 、コンサートに行きました。Transcription: Ongaku ga suki janai noni, konsāto ni ikimashita.Translation: Even though I don’t like music, I went to the concert.
In conversation, のに can be used at the end of a sentence, leaving the “surprising event” to be understood from context.
Using けれども [keredomo] for contrast
けれども transcribed keredomo is also only used in factual situations, like you might use “although” in English. This word can be shortened in several ways: けれど transcribed keredo and けど transcribed kedo are common in conversation while が transcribed ga is common in formal language.
You can use けれども transcribed keredomo and its variations after either the plain or polite predicate form.
- plain form✅ 買い物に行ったけど、何も買いませんでした。Transcription: Kaimono ni itta kedo, nani mo kaimasen deshita.Translation: Although I went shopping, I didn’t buy anything.
- polite form✅ 買い物に行きましたけど、何も買いませんでした。Transcription: Kaimono ni ikimashita kedo, nani mo kaimasen deshita.Translation: Although I went shopping, I didn’t buy anything.
However, if you use けれども transcribed keredomo after the polite form, you should also use the polite form in the second part of the sentence.
- plain form✅ この店は高いけど、美味しくない。Transcription: Kaimono ni takai kedo, oishiku nai.Translation: Although this restaurant is expensive, (the food) is not good.
- polite form✅ この店は高いですけど、 おいしくないです。Transcription: Kono mise wa takai desu kedo, oishikunaidesu.Translation: Although this restaurant is expensive, (the food) is not good.
- polite formplain form❌ この店は高いですけど、美味しくない。Transcription: Kono mise wa takai desu kedo, oishikunai.
Let’s look at a few more examples!
- この店は有名だけど、おいしくないです。Transcription: Kono mise wa yūmei da kedo, oishikunai desu.Translation: Although this town is quiet, it doesn’t have a lot of stores.
- 夏ですけど、あまり暑くないです。Transcription: natsu desu kedo, amari atsukunai desu.Translation: Although it’s summer, it’s not that hot.
- スポーツはしませんけど、試合を見るのは好きです。Transcription: Supōtsu wa shimasen kedo, shiai o miru no wa suki desu.Translation: Although I don’t play sports, I like watching matches.
けれども transcribed keredomo is sometimes used to provide background information that the listener needs to understand a question or request. For example:
Including けれども transcribed keredomo in this context helps make it clear that the first part is relevant to the request. Without けど transcribed kedo, the first sentence will sound disconnected. Compare:
- 私は日本に行ったことがないんです。日本の物価は安いですか。Transcription: Watashi wa nihon ni itta koto ga nai n desu. Nihon no bukka wa yasui desu ka.Translation: I haven't been to Japan. Are prices in Japan low?This sounds disjointed because it implies that the fact that you haven’t been to Japan is not relevant to the question.
- ✅ 私は日本に行ったことがないんですけど、日本の物価は安いですか。Transcription: Watashi wa nihon ni itta koto ga nai n desu kedo, nihon no bukka wa yasui desu ka.Translation: (Since) I haven't been to Japan (I am wondering), are prices in Japan low?
What are the differences between the different Japanese words for “even though”?
As we’ve seen above, ても transcribed te mo, のに transcribed noni, and けれども transcribed keredomo can all be used in a sentence that might use “even though” or “although” in English, but they’re not always interchangeable! So what’s the difference? Let’s compare them side-by-side!
のに [noni] vs. けれども [keredomo]
Though のに transcribed noni and けれども transcribed keredomo (or its variants) can both mean “although”, there are a few important differences:
のに transcribed noni expresses the speaker has high emotions, while けれども transcribed keredomo states simple facts.
In a situation where the speaker clearly feels shocked, surprised, or frustrated, のに transcribed noni will sound much better.
✅ 台風が来ているのに、彼は出かけました。Transcription: Taifū ga kite iru noni, kare wa dekakemashita.Translation: Although the typhoon is approaching, he went out.The speaker is shocked or maybe afraid.🆗 台風が来ているけど、彼は出かけました。Transcription: Taifū ga kite iru kedo, kare wa dekakemashita.Translation: Although the typhoon is approaching, he went out.This is technically not wrong, but it sounds odd, because this is usually a situation the speaker would have some feelings about.In a simple factual situation where emotions are not running high, けれども transcribed keredomo will sound much better.
✅ その街は小さかったけど、たくさんの人が住んでいました。Transcription: Sono machi wa chiisakatta kedo, takusan no hito ga sunde imashita.Translation: Although the town was small, a lot of people lived there.Conveying a simple fact.🆗 その街は小さかったのに、たくさんの人が住んでいました。Transcription: Sono machi wa chiisakatta noni, takusan no hito ga sunde imashita.Translation: Although the town was small, a lot of people lived there.You’d only use this if you wanted to express shock or frustration.You usually won’t use のに transcribed noni to describe your own actions, unless you are surprised or frustrated by something you did.
- ✅私は昨日レストランへ行った。料理はおいしかったが、全部食べられなかった。Transcription: Watashi wa kinō resutoran e itta. Ryōri wa oishikatta ga, zenbu taberarenakatta.Translation: I went to a restaurant yesterday. Even though the food was delicious, I couldn't eat it all.
- 🆗 私は昨日レストランへ行った。料理はおいしかったのに、全部食べられなかった。Transcription: Watashi wa kinō resutoran e itta. Ryōri wa oishikatta noni, zenbu taberarenakatta.Translation: I went to a restaurant yesterday. Even though the food was delicious, I couldn't eat it all.You would only use this sentence if you’re blaming yourself or feeling frustrated with yourself for not eating all your food.
Only けれども transcribed keredomo is used before questions, requests, or suggestions.
Question:
- ✅今日は日曜日だけど、授業はありますか。Transcription: Kyō wa nichiyōbi da kedo, jugyō wa arimasu ka.Translation: (Since) today is Sunday, do you have class?
- ❌今日は日曜日なのに、授業はありますか。Transcription: Kyō wa nichiyōbi na noni, jugyō wa arimasu ka.
Request:
- ✅おいしいか分からないけど、食べてみて下さい。Transcription: Oishii ka wakaranai kedo, tabete mite kudasai.Translation: I’m not sure if it’s delicious, but please try eating it.
- ❌おいしいか分からないのに、食べてみて下さい。Transcription: Oishii ka wakaranai noni, tabete mite kudasai.
Suggestion:
- ✅ちょっと高いけど、買いませんか。Transcription: Chotto takai kedo, kaimasen ka.Translation: It’s a little expensive, but why not buy it?
- ❌ちょっと高いのに、買いませんか。Transcription: Chotto takai noni, kaimasen ka.
ても [te mo] vs. けれども [keredemo]
ても transcribed te mo and けれども transcribed keredomo (or its variants) can be used to mean “even though,” but there is a difference in implications:
ても transcribed te mo sounds more like you’ve exhausted all options. You’ll usually use it in a case where you could use “no matter (that)...”, “whether… or not”, or “regardless (of):
先生が説明しても、学生は分からなかった。Transcription: Sensei ga setsumei shite mo, gakusei wa wakaranakatta.Translation: No matter how hard the teacher (tried to) explain, students didn’t understand.けれども transcribed keredomo is more factual:
先生が説明したけど、学生は分からなかった。Transcription: Sensei ga setsumei shita kedo, gakusei wa wakaranakatta.Translation: Although the teacher explained, students didn’t understand.
If you really are just focused on conveying facts, you should use けれども transcribed keredomo, not ても transcribed te mo:
- ✅この街は大きくないけれど、とてもきれいです。Transcription: Kono machi wa ōkikunai keredo, totemo kirei desu.Translation: Although this town is not big, it’s very beautiful.
- ❌この街は大きくなくても、とてもきれいです。Transcription: Kono machi wa ōkikunakute mo, totemo kirei desu.Translation: Regardless that this town is not big, it’s very beautiful.
What are some other ways to express contrast in Japanese?
Though the three linkers we discussed above are the most common ways to contrast two sentences in Japanese, there are a couple other ways to do it. Let’s have a look!
それなのに [sore nanoni] for “but despite that, ...”
You can use the expression それなのに transcribed sore nanoni, or its short form なのに transcribed nanoni, at the begining of a sentence much like you might use “But despite that, ...” or “But even so, ...” at the beginning of a sentence in English.
You may notice that this looks a lot like のに transcribed noni. The two are related and both express a strong contrast with some emotional involvement. Just remember that のに transcribed noni is not used at the beginning of a sentence!
ところが [tokoroga] for “still, ...”
You can use ところが transcribed tokoroga between two contrasting sentences, much like you’d use “still, ...” in English. Like “still” we mostly use this if the listener is already aware of the contrast, but you want to remind your audience of it. You’ll often hear it in stories or narratives, to create a dramatic effect.
To sum up
In this post we’ve covered the main ways to show contrast between two sentences or clauses in Japanese: ても transcribed te mo, のに transcribed noni, and けれども transcribed keredemo. Remember these three most important points:
All three can be used in factual situations, like “even though” but remember these differences:
ても transcribed te mo sounds like you’ve tried to get rid of the contrast.
のに transcribed noni expresses surprise or frustration at the contrast.
けれども transcribed keredemo and its variants are more factual.
Only ても transcribed te mo can be used in hypotheticals, to mean “even if”
けれども transcribed keredemo and its variants often follow background information, explaining a reason someone is asking a question or making a request.
Ready to practice what you’ve learned? Check out our Japanese contrast sentences exercises! Happy learning!
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