とも～とも means unable to draw a conclusion; unable to judge. It is a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar pattern used to present two contrasting possibilities and then deny the ability to choose or evaluate between them.
This pattern shows up in formal arguments, critical reviews, and abstract discussions. If you want to express that something defies a clear categorization or that you absolutely can’t lean one way or the other, とも～とも is a precise tool that adds depth to your Japanese.
What does とも～とも mean?
Use とも～とも when you want to present two opposing descriptions, judgments, or possibilities and then state that you cannot draw a conclusion about which one applies. The final verb is almost always negative — typically 言えない (can’t say), 決められない (can’t decide), or 分からない (can’t tell).
Natural translations include:
- I can’t say whether it’s A or B
- It’s impossible to judge either way
- You can’t call it one thing or the other
The structure forces you to name two contrasting endpoints. By pairing them with ～とも, then ending on a negative judgement, you suspend a final verdict — deliberately.
How to form とも～とも
Attach とも to two contrasting words or phrases, then follow with a negative evaluation or declarative verb.
Examples of the pattern:
- 高いとも安いとも → 言えない
- 良いとも悪いとも → 判断できない
- 賛成とも反対とも → 言い切れない
The two members must be semantically opposed or at least form a natural pair. In JLPT questions, a common distractor is using 〜とも only once, or pairing it with a positive final verb.
When is とも～とも used?
Use とも～とも in situations like:
- reviewing a book, film, or product and refusing to give a simple thumbs-up/thumbs-down
- discussing an ambiguous person or situation where two labels both feel half-true
- expressing intellectual caution in formal writing, academic papers, or editorials
- showing that the evidence doesn’t point clearly to either conclusion
Tone and register:
- neutral to formal; very common in written, analytical Japanese
- casual use with friends is possible when you want to emphasize genuine indecision
- Frequently encountered in JLPT N1 reading and grammar sections, especially in passages that argue multiple perspectives.
とも～とも example sentences
After each sentence, notice how とも～とも names two extremes and then suspends judgment. That suspended stance is the heart of the pattern.
Nuance of とも～とも
The key nuance is forced balance. This pattern isn’t just “I don’t know” — it’s “I’ve considered both possibilities and neither wins.” It implies the speaker has weighed the two sides equally and found the situation too complex to reduce to one label.
Compared with a simple negative like わからない, とも～とも communicates that you actively tried to decide — and found the evidence evenly split. That effort makes the conclusion feel thoughtful, not vague.
とも～とも vs かどうか
Both とも～とも and かどうか deal with uncertainty, but they function differently.
If you replace 高いとも安いとも言えない with 高いかどうかわからない, you lose the sense that both extremes have been considered equally. The former suggests a nuanced judgment; the latter just notes ignorance.
Common mistakes with とも～とも
A good self-check: write a sentence, then read it without the two とも items. If the remaining negative verb no longer makes sense (“…言えない” about what?), you’ve left out a necessary contrast.
Is とも～とも on the JLPT?
- recognize the pattern in dense passages with multiple viewpoints
- choose the correct negative ending (言えない, 判断できない, わからない)
- distinguish it from similar structures like と否と, や否や, or かどうか
Practice questions for とも～とも
Learning path for とも～とも
Related grammar to review next
- ともあろうものが — shares the とも segment and expresses “of all people/things,” a high-N1 evaluative expression
- ともなく～ともなしに — uses double とも to describe aimless or unintentional actions, a close structural cousin
- ともすれば — another とも pattern that means “apt to; liable to,” offering a different nuance of tendency
- とりわけ — while not a とも pattern, とりわけ is another N1 adverb for “especially,” useful in the same analytical registers
Learn とも～とも with Hane
If you want to review とも～とも together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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FAQ about とも～とも
What does とも～とも (tomo ~ tomo) mean in Japanese?
とも～とも (tomo ~ tomo) means “unable to draw a conclusion; unable to judge”. It is JLPT N1 grammar. Use とも～とも when you want to present two opposing descriptions, judgments, or possibilities and then state that you cannot draw a conclusion about which one applies. The final verb is almost always negative — typically 言えない (can’t say), 決められない (can’t decide), or 分からない (can’t tell).
How do you form とも～とも (tomo ~ tomo)?
Attach とも to two contrasting words or phrases, then follow with a negative evaluation or declarative verb.
What is the difference between とも～とも and かどうか?
とも～とも: Lists two specific opposing terms; the negative verb denies the ability to pick one. かどうか: Asks about a single state; the “or not” is implied, not specified.
What is an example sentence with とも～とも (tomo ~ tomo)?
高いとも安いとも言えない。 — I can’t say whether it’s expensive or cheap.