とも
Meanings
- Even if
- No matter
About this pattern
Explanation
とも is a formal, often literary concessive marker meaning 'even if / no matter what'. It emphasizes that the following outcome or fact is independent of the preceding condition. It can sound more emphatic or elevated than the everyday ても, and it is common in written Japanese, formal speech, or fixed expressions. The form changes depending on the part of speech of the clause before とも, similar to how ても works, but it often carries a stronger sense of contrast or inevitability.
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Example sentences
Even if it rains, the match will continue.
Even if it is expensive, it is worth buying.
Even if my child opposes, I will go.
No matter how difficult it is, he won't give up.
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More N2 patterns
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View detailsUnable to; Cannot; Cannot possibly
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View detailsanyhow; at any rate; in any case; I have no doubt that; probably
View details