それでも means even so; nevertheless. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express “even so; but still” in natural Japanese.
This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to express “even so; but still” in natural Japanese, それでも is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics.
What does それでも mean?
Use それでも when you want to express that something happens or is true despite a contrary situation.
Natural translations include:
- but still
- and yet
- even so
How to form それでも
それでも is a standalone conjunction. It typically follows a complete statement, or begins a new sentence when the prior context is already understood.
It can also appear at the start of a sentence on its own:
When is それでも used?
Use それでも in situations like:
- explaining a condition, reason, decision, comparison, or time relationship
- making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern
Tone and register:
- neutral unless the grammar itself is marked as casual, humble, honorific, or formal
- common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions
それでも example sentences
After reading each sentence, ask what job それでも is doing: showing that the second statement holds despite the first.
Nuance of それでも
The key nuance is even so; but still in a sentence-specific context.
This matters because それでも may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, a possibility, a contrast, or a social relationship.
For example:
- In context, それでも helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation.
- Compared with しかし, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences.
それでも vs しかし
Both それでも and しかし can appear in related sentences, but they are different.
If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English.
Common mistakes with それでも
Is それでも on the JLPT?
Yes. それでも is connected to JLPT N4 grammar.
- Recognize it in reading
- Understand its nuance in context
- Use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.
Practice questions for それでも
Learning path for それでも
Related grammar to review next
- 場合は — if; in that situation.
- なら — if; when it comes to.
- たら — if; when; after.
- と — when; if; naturally results.
Learn それでも with Hane
If you want to review それでも together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about それでも
What does それでも (sore demo) mean in Japanese?
それでも (sore demo) means “even so; nevertheless”. It is JLPT N4 grammar. Use それでも when you want to express that something happens or is true despite a contrary situation.
How do you form それでも (sore demo)?
それでも is a standalone conjunction. It typically follows a complete statement, or begins a new sentence when the prior context is already understood. Sentence.
What is an example sentence with それでも (sore demo)?
雨が降っています。それでも行きます。 — It is raining. Even so, I will go.