ても・
Something happens, or is so, and it changes nothing: the result is the same anyway. English picks "even if" or "even though". Japanese says ても for both.
even if
Even if it rains, the match will go ahead as scheduled.
even though
Even though I read the manual, I could not understand how to use it.
no matter
No matter how long I wait, the bus doesn't come.
How to form it
Verb in the て-form + も
降って → 降っても. A て-form that ends in で gives でも: 読んでも. Negative: 降らない → 降らなくても.
With an adjective or a noun
い-adjective 〜くても ／ Noun, な-adjective + でも
高い → 高くても. 雨でも and 静かでも, with no だ. Negative: 高くなくても, 雨じゃなくても.
If, and even if
Even if it rains, I'll go.
The rain changes nothing.
After たら comes what the rain leads to. After ても comes the thing it can't change.
Even if, even though
What comes before ても may be something that could happen, or something that already has. ても is the same for both and has no past form: the end of the sentence shows the time.
Even if it gets late, please be sure to call.
Even if I'm short of time, I eat breakfast.
Even though I took the medicine, my fever didn't go down.
For something that really is so, のに is "even though" too. The difference is how you feel about it.
The match is continuing even though it is raining.
Calm. The rain hasn't changed anything.
Even though it is raining, the match is still continuing.
Surprised or worried. You'd expect it to have stopped.
After a noun or an adjective
After a noun, English often says just "even".
Even a beginner can take part in this course.
Or simply: "Even a beginner can take part."
I'll go even if it rains.
It's fine even if your Japanese isn't good.
Even if it is expensive, I choose something that will last a long time.
Not said: 寒いでも、
(Even if it's cold, I open the window.)
An い-adjective takes くても: 寒くても.
With a question word: no matter…
With a question word such as 何, いつ or いくら earlier in the sentence, ても covers every case: whatever, whenever, however much.
At this restaurant, whatever you eat is delicious.
Whenever I call, my brother doesn't pick up.
However much I think about it, I can't work out the answer.
The same idea in one word: 何でも (anything), いつでも (any time), だれでも (anyone).
Other ても and でも
In an invitation or a suggestion, でも after a noun is "or something".
Would you like a coffee or something?
Close neighbours
のにN4
"Even though" with surprise or complaint, about something that really is so. ても also covers what hasn't happened yet.
Even though my younger brother has plenty of free time, he won't help with the housework.
どんなに～てもN3
"No matter how…". どんなに goes in front the way いくら does.
No matter how busy I am, I always eat breakfast.
たとえ～てもN3
たとえ at the front makes it plainly "even if": something imagined, often extreme.
Even if it rains, the match will be held.
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
遠くても、
Choose an answer to see why.
2"Even if it's hot, I don't use the air conditioner."
（ ）、
Choose an answer to see why.
3Which one fits?
姉は、
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
Even if it rains tomorrow, the festival will be held.
Will you leave as scheduled even if the weather is bad?
Even if the roads are busy, please come by six.
Even if the opponent is a beginner, we will not change the rules.
Even if the price goes up, I will continue using this service.
Even if I fail once, I will try again.