ても

JLPT Level: N4
Meanings

Even if

Even though

Despite ...ing/ ...that

Usage

V-て + も

い-adjective -く + ても

な-adjective/Noun + でも

Explanation
ても marks a concession: the action in the main clause happens or a situation occurs despite the situation in the conditional clause. It’s commonly used to present a hypothetical or contrastive scenario, often with a sense of ‘even if this happens, …’ or ‘although this is true, …’. The nuance is not about a real choice but about recognizing a possible condition and moving forward anyway. In negative or strong statements, the second clause often states an adverse result or unexpected outcome. Typical contexts include everyday decisions, surprising outcomes, or when contrasting expectations with reality.
雨が降っても出かけます。
あめがふってもでかけます。

Even if it rains, I’ll go out.

高くても買えない。
たかくてもかえない。

Even if it's expensive, I can't buy it.

彼は忙しくても手伝ってくれた。
かれはいそがしくてもてつだってくれた。

Even though he’s busy, he helped me.

静かでも、私は眠れません。
しずかでも、わたしはねむれません。

Even if it’s quiet, I can’t sleep.

日本語が難しくても、諦めないで練習しよう。
にほんごがむずかしくても、あきらめないでれんしゅうしよう。

Even if Japanese is difficult, don’t give up and practice.