N4 Conditional Forms

~ても: meaning, usage and examples

~ても means: even if…

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

Examples

1. 疲つかれていても、仕事しごとを続つづけなければなりません。

   Even if I'm tired, I must continue working.

2. 難むずかしくても、諦あきらめません。

   Even if it's difficult, I won't give up.

3. 雨あめが降ふっても、試合しあいはあります。

   Even if it rains, the game will still be held.

4. 何なん回かい聞きいても、名前なまえを忘わすれてしまいます。

   No matter how many times I hear it, I forget the name.

When to use it

ても means "even if" or "even though". The result in the second half stays the same whatever happens in the first: 雨あめが降ふっても行いきます (I will go even if it rains). With question words it means "no matter": 何なん回かい読よんでもわからない (No matter how many times I read it, I do not understand). なくてもいい means "you do not have to".

Nuance

Neutral; used in speech and writing. It works for both possible situations (even if) and real ones (even though). It is less emotional than のに. The second half can be an intention or a request: 高たかくても買かいます.

Compare

ても vs のに: ても can be hypothetical and is neutral (雨あめが降ふっても行いく); のに is about a real fact and shows surprise or disappointment (雨あめが降ふったのに、試合しあいは中止ちゅうしになりませんでした). ても vs たら: たら says B happens if A happens; ても says B happens whether A happens or not.

Tip: Build it from the て-form: 読よんで -> 読よんでも. For い-adjectives use くても (高たかい -> 高たかくても), and いい becomes よくても.