N2 Contrast and Concession

~ものの/とはいうものの: meaning, usage and examples

~ものの/とはいうものの means: although... / even though...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 自転車じてんしゃを持もっているものの、めったに使つかわない。

   Although I own a bicycle, I rarely use it.

2. 合格ごうかくしたとはいうものの、まだ実力不足じつりょくぶそくだ。

   Although I passed, I still lack ability.

3. 新あたらしい会社かいしゃに入はいったものの、仕事しごとにまだ慣なれない。

   Although I joined a new company, I'm still not used to the work.

4. 春はるとはいうものの、朝晩あさばんはまだ寒さむい。

   It may be spring, but the mornings and evenings are still cold.

When to use it

Use ものの to admit that the first part is true, then say that the expected result does not follow: "although it is true that A, B." It is common when talking about plans or efforts that did not go as hoped, as in 車くるまの免許めんきょは取とったものの、ほとんど運転うんてんしていない. とはいうものの means "that said," and can also start a sentence on its own.

Nuance

Written and formal speech; it sounds stiff in casual chat. The second clause states a fact or the speaker's judgment and cannot be a request, an invitation or the speaker's intention. It often carries a quiet sense of regret or dissatisfaction.

Compare

にもかかわらず stresses surprise at a result that goes against the condition (雨あめにもかかわらず、大勢おおぜいが来きた). ながらも describes one person or thing with two opposite sides (狭せまいながらも快適かいてきな部屋へや). のに is spoken and emotional. ものの admits a fact and then limits it: 買かったものの、まだ読よんでいない.

Tip: If you want to say "although..., please...", ものの is wrong. Use けれど or が. Think of ものの as "yes, but in reality...".