Translation guide
Expresses that a result or situation remains the same regardless of a hypothetical or extreme condition. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with the 〜ても／でも pattern, often combined with たとえ for emphasis.
Express that something will happen or a state will remain regardless of a possible condition.
Attach to the て-form of verbs, い-adjectives (くて), な-adjectives (で), or nouns (で). This is the most common way to say 'even if'.
雨が降っても、行きます。
Even if it rains, I'll go.
高くても、買います。
Even if it's expensive, I'll buy it.
便利でも、使いません。
Even if it's convenient, I won't use it.
Adds emphasis, similar to 'even if' in English. たとえ is often paired with 〜ても.
たとえ失敗しても、諦めません。
Even if I fail, I won't give up.
たとえお金がなくても、幸せです。
Even if I have no money, I'm happy.
Used after a plain form clause to mean 'even if one assumes that...'. More formal/literary than 〜ても.
彼が来るとしても、遅れるでしょう。
Even if he comes, he'll probably be late.
Similar to 〜としても, but often used after nouns or to concede a point. 'Even supposing...'
冗談にしても、ひどすぎる。
Even if it's a joke, it's too cruel.
Express that even if something had happened or were true, the result would be the same.
Also used for past hypotheticals. Context clarifies the time frame.
もっと早く起きても、間に合わなかったでしょう。
Even if I had woken up earlier, I probably wouldn't have made it in time.
Used after past tense verbs to mean 'even if one did...' with a nuance that it would be futile or not change anything.
今さら謝ったところで、許してもらえないだろう。
Even if I apologized now, I probably wouldn't be forgiven.
Emphasize that even under an extreme circumstance, something holds true.
Used with nouns and な-adjectives. たとえ adds emphasis.
たとえ子供でも、そんなことはわかる。
Even a child would understand that.
Literally 'if only...', but can convey 'even if just...' in certain contexts. Not a direct equivalent, but useful for expressing minimal conditions.
あなたさえいれば、何もいらない。
As long as I have you, I need nothing else. (Even if I have nothing else...)
The Japanese conditional forms 〜ば, 〜たら, and 〜なら are used for 'if', not 'even if'. To express 'even if', you must use 〜ても or one of the other patterns above. Using a plain conditional will change the meaning.
雨が降れば、行きません。
If it rains, I won't go. (Not 'even if')
〜ても expresses 'even if', a hypothetical or concessive condition. 〜のに expresses 'even though', a factual contradiction. Do not confuse them.
勉強しても、試験に落ちた。
Even though I studied, I failed the exam. (Incorrect use of 〜ても for factual; should be 勉強したのに)