ともeven if (in writing)
After the く form of an い-adjective, or after a volitional, とも is ても in formal dress: "even if", "however…". You will hear it every day in a few fixed words, such as 少なくとも, "at least".
after an adjective
Even if the road is steep, it is worth going on.
after a volitional
However many years it takes, I will finish this record.
How to form it
い-adjective 〜く + とも ／ Volitional + とも
険しい → 険しくとも, ない → なくとも. 変わる → 変わろうとも, ある → あろうとも.
- In everyday talk
- ても: 険しくても, 何年かかっても.
- Tone
- Firm and a little grand: a vow, a principle, a motto.
- Where you'll meet it
- Essays, speeches, novels, song lyrics. In conversation, hardly ever outside the fixed words below.
Fixed words everyone says
遅くともat the latest
I'll get back to you by Friday at the latest.
少なくともat least
It takes at least twenty minutes to walk to the station.
遅くても and 多くても say the same and are a little more casual. 少なくとも is the usual form even in casual talk; 少なくても is heard for it too.
With a question word: however, whatever
どんなに or どれほど before the adjective gives "however…". A question word before the volitional gives "whatever", "whoever" or "however".
However hard it gets, I won't give up before the end.
Whatever happens, I will keep this promise.
No matter who criticizes it, the committee will make the facts public.
Two other とも
After a number or a group, とも is "both" or "all of them". At the end of a sentence it is a hearty, rather old-fashioned "of course".
My two older brothers are both doctors.
Of course. I'd be glad to help.
Close neighbours
ても・でもN4
The everyday form, right in speech and in writing.
Even if it is expensive, I choose something that will last a long time.
The volitional also takes plain と, or が, with the same meaning.
No matter what anyone says, I will not change my testimony.
ずともN1
After a verb's ず form: "even without doing", a written なくても.
Even without putting it into words, they understood each other's intentions.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
どんなに
Choose an answer to see why.
2What does this mean?
遅くとも
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
A noun or a な-adjective doesn't take とも directly. In writing it is であろうとも.
However difficult it may be, we will go on with this plan.
More sentences
Small as it is in scale, this research matters a great deal.
Even if the cost is high, safety should come first.
No matter how treacherous the route is, rescue operations will continue.
However the situation may change, the basic policy will be kept.
Whatever I may lose, I will go on telling the truth.