JLPT N4–N3Choice guide

Furigana

ても・でも・のに・くせに・たって・だって

Choosing between “even if” and “even though”

Choose first by attitude, not by the English translation. Use ても・でも for a neutral result that remains true despite a condition, のに for an established fact whose result clashes with expectation, くせに when you openly blame someone, and たって・だって for the broad neutral pattern in casual conversation.

The quickest choice

Ask whether the first part is hypothetical or established, then decide how much feeling you want to show.

Even if; even thoughても・でも

Neutral despite-condition

ても・でも

The result holds despite either a possible condition or an actual fact. This is the safest general choice.

English may use either “even if” or “even though”; context determines which reading fits.

Although; even thoughのに

Unexpected established fact

のに

Both situations are treated as real, and the second goes against a natural expectation. Disappointment, surprise, or regret is common.

It does not normally lead directly into a request, command, invitation, or statement of intention.

Even though (with blame)くせに

Blame or resentment

くせに

You want to criticize an inconsistency in a person's behavior, role, knowledge, or attitude.

This can sound insulting. Avoid it in detached reports and be especially careful when speaking about a superior.

Even if (casual)たって

Familiar conversational form

たって・だって

You want the broad meaning of the neutral form in casual speech, messages, or dialogue-like writing.

Use the full neutral form in ordinary exposition and formal writing.

The same fact, with or without a felt mismatch

It is raining now, but a match is continuing.

Even if; even thoughても・でも

雨あめが降ふっていても、試し合あいは続つづいています。

The match is continuing even though it is raining.

This neutrally states that the rain has not changed the result.

Although; even thoughのに

雨あめが降ふっているのに、試し合あいは続つづいています。

Even though it is raining, the match is still continuing.

This presents the continuing match as contrary to expectation and can suggest surprise or concern.

Takeaway: ても can describe a fact without insisting that the speaker feels surprised. のに actively highlights the expectation that has been disappointed.

When the result is a request or intended action

ても・でも freely handles an open condition and can lead into what someone intends, requests, or decides to do. Because のに normally links established situations, it is not the usual choice before such a result.

道みちが混こんでいても、六ろく時じまでに来きてください。

Even if the roads are busy, please come by six.

The possible traffic should not prevent the requested action.

Disappointment is not the same as accusation

A younger brother has free time but does not help with the housework.

Although; even thoughのに

弟おとうとは暇ひまなのに、家か事じを手伝てつだってくれない。

Even though my younger brother is free, he will not help with the housework.

The speaker sounds disappointed, but the form itself does not force a hostile accusation.

Even though (with blame)くせに

弟おとうとは暇ひまなくせに、家か事じを全ぜん然ぜん手伝てつだわない。

My younger brother has plenty of free time, yet he does not help with the housework at all.

The speaker now treats the brother's behavior as blameworthy.

Takeaway: If you only mean “this is surprising or disappointing,” choose のに. Choose くせに only when the sharper blame is intentional.

Full neutral form or casual conversational form

Rain tomorrow will not cause the festival to be canceled.

Even if; even thoughても・でも

明日あした雨あめが降ふっても、祭まつりは行おこないます。

Even if it rains tomorrow, the festival will be held.

This neutral version works in both speech and general writing.

Even if (casual)たって

明日あした雨あめが降ふったって、祭まつりはやるよ。

Even if it rains tomorrow, we are still having the festival.

This version belongs in familiar conversation.

Takeaway: For verbs, the casual form follows the plain past-looking shape: 降ふった becomes 降ふったって, while a voiced ending gives forms such as 読よんだって.

More examples across the family

値ね段だんが上あがっても、このサービスを使つかい続つづけます。

Even if the price goes up, I will continue using this service.

初しょ心しん者しゃでも、このコースに参さん加かできます。

Even if you are a beginner, you can take part in this course.

十じゅう分ぶん寝ねたのに、まだ眠ねむい。

Even though I slept enough, I am still sleepy.

休きゅう日じつなのに、父ちちは一いち日にち中じゅう働はたらいていた。

Even though it was a holiday, my father worked all day.

事じ情じょうを知しっているくせに、何なにも教おしえてくれなかった。

They knew what was going on, yet they did not tell me anything.

The speaker criticizes the person's refusal to help despite knowing the situation.

約やく束そくしたくせに、私わたしはすっかり忘わすれていた。

Even though I had made a promise, I completely forgot about it.

The blame is directed at the speaker's own behavior.

忙いそがしくたって、少すこしは話はなせるよ。

Even if you are busy, you can talk for a little while.

何なん度ど読よんだって、この説せつ明めいでは意い味みが分わからない。

No matter how many times I read it, I cannot understand the meaning from this explanation.

This is the voiced casual concessive form, clearly attached to the verb.

Choosing a Japanese conditionalUse this guide to compare ordinary conditions when you do not specifically mean that the result holds despite them.How common spoken contractions workUse this guide to place the casual conversational form within the wider system of shortened spoken patterns.Advanced concession and qualifying a claimUse this guide when you need formal written contrasts or a careful qualification of an earlier claim.

Choosing between “even if” and “even though”