In English, you can sometimes switch up this word order and say “I did well on the test even though I didn’t study at all,” but in Japanese, the unexpected event always comes last.
Japanese Articles
How to say “even though” in Japanese: のに [noni] and more
By: Masaru Mito Wed Jun 10 2026
JapaneseSentence Structure
In Japanese we use expressions like ても[temo], のに[noni], and けれども[ keredomo] to connect two sentences that contrast with one another. For example, you might use them to translate sentences like:
Even if it rains, the concert will not be canceled.
Even though I didn't study at all, I did well on the test.
These three expressions are very similar in meaning, but there are some important differences:
ても
temo
even if; even though
のに
noni
even though; despite
けれども
keredomo
although
In this post, we will explore how to use each of these expressions and point out some of the differences between them. Are you ready? Let's dive in!
How to contrast two situations in Japanese?
When you want to present a contrast between two situations or events in Japanese, you’ll always follow the general pattern below:
Situation / Event
Connector
Unexpected Event
Think of the sentence order you’d use in “Even though I didn't study at all, I did well on the test.” This similarly consists of the situation (I didn't study) followed by an unexpected event (I did well on the test).
The three main connectors when contrasting situations or events are: ても[temo], のに[noni], and けれども[keredomo]. Let’s look more closely at when to use each one!
Important
Using ても [temo] for contrast
The expression ても[temo] is used to link two contrasting ideas, either either a hypothetical context (“even if…”) or a factual one (“even though…”).
- Hypothetical:
雨が降っても、出かけます。
Ame ga futte mo, dekakemasu.
Even if it rains, I will go out.
- Factual:
たくさん練習しても、あまり上手になりませんでした。
Takusan renshū shite mo, amari jōzu ni narimasen deshita.
Even though I practiced a lot, I didn’t get much better.
Tip
To help clarify that you’re describing a hypothetical situation, you can use adverbs like たとえ[tatoe], もし[moshi], or 万が一[mangaichi] in the first part.
たとえ時間がなくても、私は毎日10分は運動します。
Tatoe jikan ga nakutemo, watashi wa mainichi juppun wa undō shimasu.
Even if I don't have time, I exercise for at least 10 minutes every day.
This expression is technically composed of two parts: the て[te] ending of a word in its te-form, and the particle も[mo].
The te-form is a connecting form of a word that ends in て[te] or sometimes で[de] in this case, the last word of the first situation you’re mentioning.
The particle も[mo] is often used to link two ideas together.
Here are some examples of how you can use the te-form in sentences where ても[te mo] means “even if…”
Dictionary | te-form | Example |
|---|---|---|
いく iku to go → verb | 行って itte | カラオケに行っても、歌いません。 Karaoke ni itte mo, utaimasen. Even if I go to karaoke, I won’t sing. |
たかい takai expensive → i-adjective | 高くて takute | 高くても、買います。 Takakute mo, kaimasu. Even if it’s expensive, I will buy (it). |
きらい kirai disliked → na-adjective | 嫌いで kirai de | 嫌いでも、野菜は食べましょう。 Kirai de mo, yasai wa tabemashō. Even if you don’t like vegetables, you should eat (them). |
みせいねん miseinen underage → noun | 未成年で miseinen de | 未成年でも、入れます。 Miseinen de mo, hairemasu. Even if you’re underage, you can go in. |
良くない yokunai not good → negative adjective | よくなくて yoku nakute | 天気がよくなくても、ハイキングに行きます。 Tenki ga yoku nakute mo, haikingu ni ikimasu. Even if the weather is not good, I will (still) go on a hike. |
You can use ても[temo] more than once in a sentence, like this:
空港までは、電車に乗っても、車で行っても、時間がかかります。
Kūkō made wa, densha ni notte mo, kuruma de itte mo, jikan ga kakarimasu.
Whether you take the train or go by car, it takes time to get to the airport.
→ Think: “Even if you take the train and even if you go by car, ...”
Using のに [noni] for contrast
The expression のに[noni] is only used to link together two factual ideas, never hypotheticals, so it means something more like “even though” or “despite.” To use this expression, simply add it after the first situation or event. The (final word) of that first situation must be in its plain predicative form.
Tip
The plain predicate form is the basic form you’d use to form a sentence like “x verbs” or “x is y.” You can review these forms in our introductions to Japanese verbs, adjectives, and nouns!
You’re likely to hear のに[noni] when there is a strong contrast between the two situations or events. This is most often used if the speaker has strong feelings about the contrast, especially negative feelings, like frustration or disappointment.
- plain affirmative verb
毎日勉強したのに、テストは悪かったです。
Mainichi benkyō shita noni, tesuto wa warukatta desu.
Even though I studied every day, I did poorly on the exam.
- plain affirmative i-adjective
あついのに、コートを着ています。
Atsui noni, kōto o kite imasu.
Even though it’s hot, (the person) is wearing a coat.
- plain affirmative na-adjective
仕事は 大変なのに、給料は安いです。
Shigoto wa taihen na noni, kyūryō wa yasui desu.
Even though the job is tough, the salary is low.
- plain affirmative noun
学生なのに、家を持っています。
Gakusei na noni, ie o motte imasu.
Even though (they are) students, they have their own house.
- plain negative
音楽が好きじゃないのに 、コンサートに行きました。
Ongaku ga suki janai noni, konsāto ni ikimashita.
Even though I don’t like music, I went to the concert.
In conversation, のに can be used at the end of a sentence, leaving the “surprising event” to be understood from context.
Speaker A:
田中さんはジムに行ったよ。
Tanaka san wa jimu ni itta yo.
Mr. Tanaka went to the gym.
Speaker B:
え、まだ朝の５時なのに。
E, mada asa no go ji na noni.
What, even though it’s only 5 in the morning?
Using けれども [keredomo] for contrast
けれども[keredomo] is also only used in factual situations, like you might use “although” in English. This word can be shortened in several ways: けれど[keredo] and けど[kedo] are common in conversation while が[ga] is common in formal language.
You can use けれども[keredomo] and its variations after either the plain or polite predicate form.
- plain form
✅ 買い物に行ったけど、何も買いませんでした。
Kaimono ni itta kedo, nani mo kaimasen deshita.
Although I went shopping, I didn’t buy anything.
- polite form
✅ 買い物に行きましたけど、何も買いませんでした。
Kaimono ni ikimashita kedo, nani mo kaimasen deshita.
Although I went shopping, I didn’t buy anything.
However, if you use けれども[keredomo] after the polite form, you should also use the polite form in the second part of the sentence.
- plain form
✅ この店は高いけど、美味しくない。
Kaimono ni takai kedo, oishiku nai.
Although this restaurant is expensive, (the food) is not good.
- polite form
✅ この店は高いですけど、 おいしくないです。
Kono mise wa takai desu kedo, oishikunaidesu.
Although this restaurant is expensive, (the food) is not good.
- polite formplain form
❌ この店は高いですけど、美味しくない。
Kono mise wa takai desu kedo, oishikunai.
Let’s look at a few more examples!
この店は有名だけど、おいしくないです。
Kono mise wa yūmei da kedo, oishikunai desu.
Although this town is quiet, it doesn’t have a lot of stores.
夏ですけど、あまり暑くないです。
natsu desu kedo, amari atsukunai desu.
Although it’s summer, it’s not that hot.
スポーツはしませんけど、試合を見るのは好きです。
Supōtsu wa shimasen kedo, shiai o miru no wa suki desu.
Although I don’t play sports, I like watching matches.
Tip
Like with のに, the “surprising event” can sometimes be implied based on conversational context:
Speaker A:
よく海外に行くんですか。
Yoku kaigai ni iku n desu ka.
Do you travel abroad often?
Speaker B:
ええ、英語は話せませんけど。
Ē, eigo wa hansemasen kedo.
Yes, I can’t speak English though.
けれども[keredomo] is sometimes used to provide background information that the listener needs to understand a question or request. For example:
background informationquestion
デパートを探しているんですけど、 この近くにありますか。
Depāto o sagashite iru n desu kedo, kono chikaku ni arimasu ka.
I’m looking for a department store (but cannot find it), is there one nearby?
Including けれども[keredomo] in this context helps make it clear that the first part is relevant to the request. Without けど[kedo], the first sentence will sound disconnected. Compare:
私は日本に行ったことがないんです。日本の物価は安いですか。
Watashi wa nihon ni itta koto ga nai n desu. Nihon no bukka wa yasui desu ka.
I haven't been to Japan. Are prices in Japan low?
→ This sounds disjointed because it implies that the fact that you haven’t been to Japan is not relevant to the question.✅ 私は日本に行ったことがないんですけど、日本の物価は安いですか。
Watashi wa nihon ni itta koto ga nai n desu kedo, nihon no bukka wa yasui desu ka.
(Since) I haven't been to Japan (I am wondering), are prices in Japan low?
Important
You can also use けれども[keredomo] between two separate sentences. In this context, you’re more likely to translate it using “however” or something similar.
プログラミングは難しいです。けれども、人気があります。
Proguramingu wa muzukashī desu. Keredomo, ninki ga arimasu.
Programming is difficult. However, it’s popular.
When it starts a sentence, you can replace けれども[keredomo] with some variants, like けれど[keredo], だけど[dakedo], しかし[shikashi], or でも[demo], but you can’t replace it with が[ga] when it starts a sentence.
What are the differences between the different Japanese words for “even though”?
As we’ve seen above, ても[te mo], のに[noni], and けれども[keredomo] can all be used in a sentence that might use “even though” or “although” in English, but they’re not always interchangeable! So what’s the difference? Let’s compare them side-by-side!
のに [noni] vs. けれども [keredomo]
Though のに[noni] and けれども[keredomo] (or its variants) can both mean “although”, there are a few important differences:
のに[noni] expresses the speaker has high emotions, while けれども[keredomo] states simple facts.
In a situation where the speaker clearly feels shocked, surprised, or frustrated, のに[noni] will sound much better.
✅ 台風が来ているのに、彼は出かけました。
Taifū ga kite iru noni, kare wa dekakemashita.
Although the typhoon is approaching, he went out.
→ The speaker is shocked or maybe afraid.🆗 台風が来ているけど、彼は出かけました。
Taifū ga kite iru kedo, kare wa dekakemashita.
Although the typhoon is approaching, he went out.
→ This is technically not wrong, but it sounds odd, because this is usually a situation the speaker would have some feelings about.In a simple factual situation where emotions are not running high, けれども[keredomo] will sound much better.
✅ その街は小さかったけど、たくさんの人が住んでいました。
Sono machi wa chiisakatta kedo, takusan no hito ga sunde imashita.
Although the town was small, a lot of people lived there.
→ Conveying a simple fact.🆗 その街は小さかったのに、たくさんの人が住んでいました。
Sono machi wa chiisakatta noni, takusan no hito ga sunde imashita.
Although the town was small, a lot of people lived there.
→ You’d only use this if you wanted to express shock or frustration.You usually won’t use のに[noni] to describe your own actions, unless you are surprised or frustrated by something you did.
✅私は昨日レストランへ行った。料理はおいしかったが、全部食べられなかった。
Watashi wa kinō resutoran e itta. Ryōri wa oishikatta ga, zenbu taberarenakatta.
I went to a restaurant yesterday. Even though the food was delicious, I couldn't eat it all.
🆗 私は昨日レストランへ行った。料理はおいしかったのに、全部食べられなかった。
Watashi wa kinō resutoran e itta. Ryōri wa oishikatta noni, zenbu taberarenakatta.
I went to a restaurant yesterday. Even though the food was delicious, I couldn't eat it all.
→ You would only use this sentence if you’re blaming yourself or feeling frustrated with yourself for not eating all your food.
Only けれども[keredomo] is used before questions, requests, or suggestions.
Question:
✅今日は日曜日だけど、授業はありますか。
Kyō wa nichiyōbi da kedo, jugyō wa arimasu ka.
(Since) today is Sunday, do you have class?
❌今日は日曜日なのに、授業はありますか。
Kyō wa nichiyōbi na noni, jugyō wa arimasu ka.
Request:
✅おいしいか分からないけど、食べてみて下さい。
Oishii ka wakaranai kedo, tabete mite kudasai.
I’m not sure if it’s delicious, but please try eating it.
❌おいしいか分からないのに、食べてみて下さい。
Oishii ka wakaranai noni, tabete mite kudasai.
Suggestion:
✅ちょっと高いけど、買いませんか。
Chotto takai kedo, kaimasen ka.
It’s a little expensive, but why not buy it?
❌ちょっと高いのに、買いませんか。
Chotto takai noni, kaimasen ka.
Exception!
のに[noni] can come before a prohibition or a request to stop:
図書館にいるのに、大声で話さないで下さい。
Toshokan ni iru noni, ōgoe de hanasanaide kudasai.
Since you’re in the library, please don’t talk so loudly.
You can also use のに before a question, if that question ends in のだ[noda] or んだ[nda].
今日は日曜日なのに、授業があるんですか。
Kyō wa nichiyōbi na noni, jugyō ga aru n desu ka.
Today is Sunday, but do you have class?
ても [te mo] vs. けれども [keredemo]
ても[te mo] and けれども[keredomo] (or its variants) can be used to mean “even though,” but there is a difference in implications:
ても[te mo] sounds more like you’ve exhausted all options. You’ll usually use it in a case where you could use “no matter (that)...”, “whether… or not”, or “regardless (of):
先生が説明しても、学生は分からなかった。
Sensei ga setsumei shite mo, gakusei wa wakaranakatta.
No matter how hard the teacher (tried to) explain, students didn’t understand.
けれども[keredomo] is more factual:
先生が説明したけど、学生は分からなかった。
Sensei ga setsumei shita kedo, gakusei wa wakaranakatta.
Although the teacher explained, students didn’t understand.
If you really are just focused on conveying facts, you should use けれども[keredomo], not ても[te mo]:
✅この街は大きくないけれど、とてもきれいです。
Kono machi wa ōkikunai keredo, totemo kirei desu.
Although this town is not big, it’s very beautiful.
❌この街は大きくなくても、とてもきれいです。
Kono machi wa ōkikunakute mo, totemo kirei desu.
Regardless that this town is not big, it’s very beautiful.
What are some other ways to express contrast in Japanese?
Though the three linkers we discussed above are the most common ways to contrast two sentences in Japanese, there are a couple other ways to do it. Let’s have a look!
それなのに [sore nanoni] for “but despite that, ...”
You can use the expression それなのに[sore nanoni], or its short form なのに[nanoni], at the begining of a sentence much like you might use “But despite that, ...” or “But even so, ...” at the beginning of a sentence in English.
雨が降っている。それなのに、子供たちは外で遊んでいる。
Ame ga futte iru. Sore nanoni, kodomo tachi wa soto de asonde iru.
It’s raining. But despite that, kids are playing outside.
You may notice that this looks a lot like のに[noni]. The two are related and both express a strong contrast with some emotional involvement. Just remember that のに[noni] is not used at the beginning of a sentence!
ところが [tokoroga] for “still, ...”
You can use ところが[tokoroga] between two contrasting sentences, much like you’d use “still, ...” in English. Like “still” we mostly use this if the listener is already aware of the contrast, but you want to remind your audience of it. You’ll often hear it in stories or narratives, to create a dramatic effect.
最近の子供はゲームばかりしてだめだと思っている人が多いと思います。ところが、ゲームから学べることが実はたくさんあるんです。
Saikin no kodomo wa gēmu bakari shite dameda to omotte iru hito ga ōi to omoimasu. Tokoroga, gēmu kara manaberu koto ga jitsu wa takusan aru n desu.
I think many people nowadays believe that it's no good that children just play games all the time. Still, there are a lot of things that can be learned from games.
To sum up
In this post we’ve covered the main ways to show contrast between two sentences or clauses in Japanese: ても[te mo], のに[noni], and けれども[keredemo]. Remember these three most important points:
All three can be used in factual situations, like “even though” but remember these differences:
ても[te mo] sounds like you’ve tried to get rid of the contrast.
のに[noni] expresses surprise or frustration at the contrast.
けれども[keredemo] and its variants are more factual.
Only ても[te mo] can be used in hypotheticals, to mean “even if”
けれども[keredemo] and its variants often follow background information, explaining a reason someone is asking a question or making a request.
Ready to practice what you’ve learned? Check out our Japanese contrast sentences exercises! Happy learning!
