Skip to main content
All Japanese activities

Activities: "How to say “even though” in Japanese: のに (noni) and more"

By: Masaru Mito

Activity 1: Complete the sentences

Part 1: 〜ても (temo)

Complete the following sentences using 〜ても.

  1. Situation: 先生に聞く transcribed sensei ni kikumeaning to ask a teacher

    も、分かりませんでした。
    ___ mo, wakarimasen deshita.
    Even though I asked my teacher, I didn’t understand.

  2. Situation: きれい transcribed kireimeaning clean

    部屋がも、家賃が高いところには住めません。
    Heya ga ___ mo, yachin ga takai tokoro ni wa sumemasen.
    Even if the room is clean, I can’t live in a place where the rent is high.

  3. Situation: いそがしい transcribed isogashiimeaning busy

    どんなにも、朝ご飯は食べるようにしています。
    Don’nani ___ mo, asagohan wa taberu yōni shite imasu.
    No matter how busy I am, I make sure to eat breakfast.

Part 2: 〜のに (noni)

Complete the following sentences using 〜のに while appropriately changing the tense if necessary.

  1. Situation: 早起きする transcribed hayaoki surumeaning to wake up early

    のに、もう一度寝てしまいました。
    ___ noni, mōichido nete shimaimashita.
    Even though Kai is still a child, he knows a lot of difficult words.

  2. Situation: 子供 transcribed kodomomeaning child

    カイくんは、まだのに、難しい言葉をたくさん知っている。
    Kai kun wa mada ___ noni, muzukashii kotoba o takusan shitte iru.
    Even though I woke up early, I went back to sleep.

  3. Situation: 寒い transcribed samuimeaning cold

    今日はのに、彼はTシャツを着ている。
    Kyō wa ___ noni, kare wa tīshatsu o kite iru.
    Even though it’s cold today, he is wearing a T-shirt.

Part 3: 〜けど (kedo)

Complete the following sentences using 〜けど.

  1. Situation: 苦い transcribed nigaimeaning bitter

    コーヒーはけど、好きです。
    Kōhī wa ___ kedo, suki desu.
    Although coffee is bitter, I like it.

  2. Situation: 混んでいる transcribed konde irumeaning crowded

    この店は、いつもけど、今日はお客さんが少ない。
    Kono mise wa, itsumo ___ kedo, kyō wa okyaku san ga sukunai.
    Although this store is always crowded, there are few customers today.

Activity 2: Pick the right form

Select the most appropriate word in parentheses.

  1. この問題は難しいから、 ( ・ ・ )、大丈夫です。 Kono mondai wa muzukasii kara ( wakaranakute mo / wakaranai noni / wakaranai kedo ), daijōbu desu. Since this question is difficult, it’s okay even if you don’t understand.

  2. 夜 ( ・ )、隣の部屋の人が大声で歌っています。 Yoru ( na noni / da kedo ), tonari no heya no hito ga ōgoe de utatte imasu. Even though it's nighttime, the person next door is singing loudly.

  3. どこに ( ・ ・ )、友達のことは忘れません。 Doko ni ( itte mo / iku noni / iku kedo ), tomodachi no koto wa wasuremasen. No matter where I go, I never forget my friends.

  4. 大学には、食堂が ( ・ )、高いから、私はあまり行きません。 Daigaku ni wa, shokudō ga ( aru noni / aru kedo ), takai kara, watashi wa amari ikimasen. There is a cafeteria at the university, but it's expensive, so I don't go there often.

  5. この映画、ちょっと ( ・ )、一緒に見ませんか。 Kono eiga, chotto ( kowai noni / kowai kedo ), issho ni mimasen ka. This movie is a little scary, but would you like to watch it together?

  6. え、去年も新しい車を ( ・ )。 E, kyonen mo atarashii kuruma o ( katte mo / katta noni ). What? He bought a new car last year too.

  7. 昨日も ( ・ ・ )、資料をメールで送ってくれますか。 Kinō mo ( itte mo / itta noni / itta kedo ), shiryō o mēru de okutte kuremasu ka. I said it yesterday, but can you send the materials by email?

  8. 今日は雨が降っている ( ・ )、遊園地はとても混んでいます。 Kyō wa ame ga futte iru ( noni / sore nano ni ), yūenchi wa totemo konde imasu. Even though it’s raining today, the amusement park is very crowded.

  9. 私は日本で生まれました。 ( ・ )、アメリカで育ちました。 Watashi wa nihon de umaremashita. ( Tokoroga / Keredo mo ), amerika de sodachimashita. I was born in Japan. However, I was raised in the U.S.