JLPT N3 Contrast and concession: even if, although
だけど and ところが introduce a contrast, and ところが adds surprise that things turned out otherwise. たとえ～ても, いくら～ても, and どんなに～ても mean "no matter how", while くせに and ながらも mean "even though" with very different tones. くせに carries blame and criticism, so using it neutrally is a common and costly mistake.
13 N3 grammar points in this group
だけど (dakedo): but; however; although
Use だけど when you want to connect two contrasting ideas in casual or neutral conversation.
高いだけど、買った。 — It was expensive, but I bought it.
ところが (tokoro ga): however; even so
Use ところが when you want to introduce an unexpected result contrary to what came before.
彼は来ると言っていた。ところが、来なかった。 — He said he would come. However, he did not.
ながらも (nagara mo): although; despite
Use ながらも when you want to show contrast while acknowledging an ongoing state or quality.
彼は疲れながらも、最後まで走った。 — Although he was tired, he ran to the end.
くせに (kuse ni): even though; despite that
Use くせに when you want to criticize a contradiction or unexpected behavior.
知っているくせに、教えてくれなかった。 — Even though you knew, you did not tell me.
ことは～が (koto wa ga): although it is true that
Use ことは～が when you want to admit one point while contrasting it with a limitation.
読めることは読めるが、意味はよく分からない。 — I can read it, but I do not really understand the meaning.
といっても (to ittemo): although I say; even though called
Use といっても when you want to soften or correct what the previous word might make someone imagine.
日本に住んでいるといっても、まだ半年だけです。 — Although I say I live in Japan, it has only been half a year.
たとえ～ても (tatoe temo): even if
Use たとえ～ても when you want to emphasize that the result will not change even under a strong condition.
たとえ失敗しても、もう一度挑戦します。 — Even if I fail, I will try again.
たって (tatte): even if; even though
Use たって when you want to state that something remains true no matter what condition is given.
今さら謝ったって、もう遅い。 — Even if you apologize now, it is already too late.
どんなに～ても (donna ni temo): no matter how (much)
Use どんなに～ても when you want to express that a result does not change regardless of degree or effort.
どんなに頑張っても、合格できなかった。 — No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't pass.
いくら～ても (ikura temo): no matter how (much)
Use いくら～ても when you want to express that a result does not change regardless of amount, degree, or effort.
いくら頑張っても、合格できなかった。 — No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't pass.
にしても (ni shite mo): even if; even though; regardless of
Use にしても when you want to concede a possibility while saying the main point still stands.
行くにしても、予約が必要です。 — Even if you go, you need a reservation.
にしては (ni shite wa): for; considering
Use にしては when you want to judge something as surprising when compared with what is expected.
彼は子供にしては、難しい言葉を知っている。 — For a child, he knows difficult words.
割に (wari ni): considering; for
Use 割に（わりに） when you want to show something is different from what would be expected from a standard.
彼は年のわりに若く見える。 — He looks young for his age.
More JLPT N3 grammar groups
- Conditionals, wishes, and regrets (10)
- Cause, reason, and result (9)
- Purpose, intention, and effort (14)
- Obligation, advice, and no choice (15)
- Hearsay, conjecture, and appearance (15)
- Partial and strong negation (9)
- Time, timing, and gradual change (20)
- Relational phrases: about, for, through (19)
- Compound verbs and suffixes (20)
- Degree, comparison, and emphasis (20)
- Adding, listing, and connecting ideas (18)