GE07 · Even if: 〜ても

Before you start

The sentences use words you already know, up to the elementary level, and assume basic grammar.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• GE01say what you can do
• GE02say who gives what to whom
• GE03say what happens if or when
• GE04say what something looks like
• GE05say something is done or happened by mistake
• GE06say what always happens when…

What you learn

〜ても、〜

• もeven if (〜ても)
• くてて-form of い-adjectives

The て-form + も means «even if»: あめが ふっても、いきます (even if it rains, I'll go). With い-adjectives: たかくても (even if it's expensive). It is the same form as in 〜ても いい (G21), but here another clause follows.

• あめが ふっても、こうえんに いきます。ame ga futte mo, kouen ni ikimasu.Even if it rains, I'll go to the park.
• たかくても、かいます。takakute mo, kaimasu.Even if it's expensive, I'll buy it.
• くすりを のんでも、なおりません。kusuri o nonde mo, naorimasen.Even though I take the medicine, I don't get better.
• さむくても、まどを あけます。samukute mo, mado o akemasu.Even if it's cold, I open the window.
• ねても、ねむいです。nete mo, nemui desu.Even when I sleep, I'm sleepy.
• ともだちを まっても、きません。tomodachi o matte mo, kimasen.However long I wait for my friend, he doesn't come.

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.