それにしても

それにしても means even so; at any rate. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to acknowledge a situation while adding surprise or a separate comment.

This grammar point often appears in advanced reading, formal writing, notices, essays, and careful conversation. If you want to read Japanese with more nuance, それにしても is a useful pattern to learn because it shows the speaker’s logic, stance, or emphasis.

What does それにしても mean?

Use それにしても when you want to acknowledge a situation while adding surprise or a separate comment.

Natural translations include:

• even so; at any rate
• depending on context
• in a way that matches the speaker’s emphasis

The best translation depends on the sentence. Focus first on what relationship the pattern creates between the ideas.

How to form それにしても

それにしても + sentence

Examples of the pattern:

• 遅れるとは聞いていた。それにしても
• 初めてとはいえ
• 忙しいのは分かる。それにしても

In JLPT questions, pay close attention to the word immediately before the grammar point. Many wrong answers use a similar meaning but attach to the wrong form.

When is それにしても used?

Use それにしても in situations like:

• reading formal explanations, announcements, or essays
• making a point more precise than a basic grammar pattern would
• connecting two ideas with a clear nuance

Tone and register:

• usually neutral to formal, depending on the expression
• common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

それにしても example sentences

• 遅れるとは聞いていた。それにしても、三時間は長すぎる。 — I heard it would be delayed. Even so, three hours is too long.
• 初めてとはいえ、それにしても上手だ。 — Even considering it’s your first time, you’re really good.
• 忙しいのは分かる。それにしても、連絡はしてほしかった。 — I understand you’re busy. Even so, I wanted you to contact me.
• それにしても、今日は暑いですね。 — At any rate, it’s hot today.
• 説明は受けた。それにしても、まだ納得できない。 — I received an explanation. Even so, I still can’t accept it.

After reading each sentence, ask what job それにしても is doing. Is it adding, excluding, warning, emphasizing, or showing a condition? That habit makes the nuance easier to remember than a single English translation.

Nuance of それにしても

The key nuance is acknowledge a situation while adding surprise or a separate comment.

This matters because N2 grammar often overlaps with easier expressions. The advanced pattern usually adds formality, emphasis, restriction, or a stronger logical relationship.

For example:

• In formal writing, それにしても often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
• Compared with それでも, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

それにしても vs それでも

Both それにしても and それでも can express related ideas, but they are different.

それにしても:

• fits the N2 nuance explained above
• often sounds more specific, formal, or emphatic

それでも:

• is usually broader, simpler, or used in a different register
• may be better in casual conversation depending on the sentence

Quick contrast examples:

• 遅れるとは聞いていた。それにしても、三時間は長すぎる。
• Try rewriting the sentence with それでも and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

Common mistakes with それにしても

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
• Confusing it with それでも just because the English translation overlaps
• Using it in casual speech when a simpler pattern would sound more natural

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with それにしても, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

Is それにしても on the JLPT?

Yes. それにしても is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions usually test context, not dictionary translation alone.

Practice questions for それにしても

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence that clearly needs それにしても.
• Write a second sentence with それでも and compare the nuance.
• Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

Learning path for それにしても

To learn それにしても efficiently, follow a path that matches this pattern’s real function.

1. First review the formation so the base structure feels natural.
2. Then compare それにしても with それでも and the related lessons below. These recommendations are chosen from similar semantic or structural families.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes それにしても necessary.

Related grammar to review next

• n3 ni shite mo — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n4 sore demo — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• それなのに — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register

Learn それにしても with Hane

If you want to review それにしても together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons