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【Japanese Grammar】Usage of "~temo" (Even if)

"~temo (~ても)" is used to express a reverse condition, meaning "Even if A, B". It emphasizes that the result (B) happens regardless of the condition (A).

1. Basic Structure

📝 Formation
Verb (Te-form)
+
も (mo)
i-Adj (~kute)
+
も (mo)
na-Adj / Noun
+
でも (demo)

(Even if ...)

Conjugation Table

Type Dictionary / Plain Form ~temo (Even if)
Verb 降る (furu)
食べる (taberu)
する (suru)
降っても (futtemo)
食べても (tabetemo)
しても (shitemo)
i-Adjective 高い (takai)
安い (yasui)
高くても (takakutemo)
安くても (yasukutemo)
na-Adjective 便利 (benri)
暇 (hima)
便利でも (benri demo)
暇でも (hima demo)
Noun 雨 (ame)
日曜日 (nichiyoubi)
雨でも (ame demo)
日曜日でも (nichiyoubi demo)

2. Examples

① Verbs

Often used with "しても (shitemo)" from "する (suru)".

降っても、行きます。

あめが ふっても、いきます

English

Even if it rains, I will go.

失敗しても大丈夫です。

* 失敗 (shippai) = failure

しっぱい しても、だいじょうぶ です

English

Even if you fail, it's okay.

② Adjectives / Nouns

高くても買いたいです。

たかくても、かいたい です

English

Even if it is expensive, I want to buy it.

日曜日でも働きます

にちようび でも、はたらきます

English

Even if it is Sunday, I will work.

💡 Usage Hint: "Ikura (No matter how much)"

"~temo" is often used with "ikura (いくら)".

  • いくら考えて、わかりません。
    (No matter how much I think, I don't understand.)
  • いくら安くても、買いません。
    (No matter how cheap it is, I won't buy it.)

3. Summary

  • Use "~temo" to express a reverse condition ("Even if").
  • i-Adjectives: "~kute" + mo (e.g., Takakutemo).
  • na-Adjectives/Nouns: "~de" + mo (e.g., Benri demo, Ame demo).
  • Often pairs with "ikura" to mean "No matter how much...".

⚡ Practice Quiz

Check your understanding!