それにしてもeven so; all the same
You grant what was just said, and this is still more than you expected: "even so", "all the same". Often nothing was said at all, and it just opens a remark on how extreme something is.
something granted
Of course it's hot: it's August. Still, today's heat is awful.
nothing said first
He's awfully late, though, isn't he?
How to form it
(What you grant。) それにしても、+ your reaction
It opens a new sentence or a reply.
- After it
- Your reaction, mostly to how much, how long or how far: 〜すぎる, ひどい, すごい, 〜とは. Not a plain new fact, and not something you do.
- Tone
- Surprise, admiration or complaint. The remark itself tells you which.
- Where you'll meet it
- Conversation, polite or casual. In writing: essays, columns, reviews.
In use
They say a famous chef runs this place.
Even so, isn't it too expensive? A coffee is two thousand yen.
What you grant explains some of it: a famous chef does mean high prices. Just not this high.
I expected a price increase. Still, I was amazed to see it double.
She's a professional, so of course she's good. All the same, that was an amazing performance.
With nothing said first
You have been waiting, or looking, and out it comes.
What a crowd, though.
Yeah. Well, it is the long weekend.
Close neighbours
それでもN4
"Even so": something holds, or someone goes ahead, in spite of it. それにしても only reacts.
There was heavy snow outside. Even so, the shop stayed open.
それにしてはN3
One kana apart: "considering that". The fact points the other way, and what follows doesn't fit it, for better or worse.
Only six months? Your Japanese is good, considering.
にしてもN2
The same granting inside one sentence: "granted, but even so".
Even if it was a joke, that was put far too harshly.
それなのにN2
"And yet": what happened clashes with what should have followed, and you say it as a complaint or in disbelief.
I sent two confirmation emails. And yet, the reservation had not been recorded.
それならN2
"In that case": you take what you have just learned as given and say what you will do or suggest.
You can't make it today? Then let's make it tomorrow.
Check yourself
1You and a friend have been walking across a park for twenty minutes, and neither of you has said a word. Which one can open your remark?
（ ）、
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which sounds natural?
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
にしても
In casual talk the それ often drops.
You do eat a lot, though.
More sentences
There is still a week until the deadline. Even so, the work is going far too slowly.
This area gets a lot of rain. Still, this month it has rained almost every day.
All the same, I wonder why he never said anything to me.
Not about degree this time: something you still can't get over.
It just keeps on raining, doesn't it?
To yourself, looking out of the window.