Concession & Contrast — ものを/といえども/ところを/ながらも/とはいうものの/（よ）うが・（よ）うと/にしたって
This lesson covers N1 patterns for concession and contrast. N3 and N2 already taught 「のに」, 「ものの」, 「とはいえ」, 「にしても」 and 「にしろ／にせよ」; N1 adds ones with a stronger tone or a clearer register. 「ものを」 carries regret and reproach: "if only…, but instead…". 「といえども」 is very formal: "even…". 「ところを」 is used for "when it should have been…, instead…" and in polite set phrases like 「お忙しいところを」. 「ながらも」 is about attaching to nouns and adjectives and its fixed phrases. 「とはいうものの」 means "that said, in reality…", 「（よ）うが」 and 「（よ）うと」 mean "no matter…, it makes no difference", and 「にしたって」 is a colloquial 「にしても」. The test is mostly about telling their tones apart (regret, formality, casual speech) and what can follow them.
Vocabulary
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 抱え込む | かかえこむ | v, trans. to take on alone; to keep (a problem) to oneselfliterally "to hug tightly"; carrying worries or work alone without asking for help悩みを抱え込む to bottle up one's worries仕事を抱え込む to take on too much work |
| 言い訳 | いいわけ | n, suru-verb excuseexplaining away one's own fault, usually critical言い訳をする to make excuses言い訳にならない that's no excuse |
| 聞く耳を持たない | きくみみをもたない | idiom to refuse to listenignoring other people's opinions or advice忠告に聞く耳を持たない to turn a deaf ear to advice |
| 公金 | こうきん | n public fundsmoney belonging to the state, a local government or an organisation公金を横領する to embezzle public funds公金の使い道 how public money is spent |
| 尊重 | そんちょう | n, suru-verb respect; regardfor a person, an opinion or a right意見を尊重する to respect someone's view人権の尊重 respect for human rights |
| 汗ばむ | あせばむ | v, intrans. to be slightly sweatywarm enough for the skin to feel damp, short of pouring sweat汗ばむ陽気 weather warm enough to make you sweat額が汗ばむ one's forehead gets damp |
| 陽気 | ようき | n weather; the season's warmthas a noun it means the weather; as a na-adjective, "cheerful"春らしい陽気 lovely spring weather陽気な性格 a cheerful nature |
| 処分 | しょぶん | n, suru-verb disciplinary action; disposalpunishing someone for a violation, or getting rid of things処分を下す to take disciplinary action不用品を処分する to dispose of unwanted items |
| 仕上げる | しあげる | v, trans. to finish; to completebringing a piece of work through its final stageレポートを仕上げる to finish a report仕上げの段階 the finishing stage |
| 口を閉ざす | くちをとざす | idiom to keep silent; to refuse to talkabout a particular matter固く口を閉ざす to keep one's lips sealed真相について口を閉ざす to say nothing about what really happened |
| 不本意 | ふほんい | n, na-adj against one's will; unsatisfactorynot what one really wanted不本意ながら reluctantly不本意な結果 a disappointing result |
| やり遂げる | やりとげる | v, trans. to see through; to accomplishcarrying a difficult task to the end最後までやり遂げる to see it through to the end大役をやり遂げる to carry out an important role |
| 冷え込む | ひえこむ | v, intrans. to turn cold; to coolof a drop in temperature, also of the economy or relations朝晩冷え込む mornings and evenings get cold景気が冷え込む the economy cools |
| 庶民 | しょみん | n ordinary people; the general publicas opposed to the rich and powerful庶民の暮らし ordinary people's lives庶民的な店 an unpretentious shop |
| 実感 | じっかん | n, suru-verb a real sense of; feeling it firsthand実感がわかない it doesn't feel real成長を実感する to feel one has grown |
| 毅然 | きぜん | adj resolute; firmunshaken under pressure; only as 〜とした or 〜として, never 毅然な毅然とした態度 a firm stance毅然として断る to refuse flatly |
| 納得 | なっとく | n, suru-verb being convinced; acceptingunderstanding and agreeing納得がいかない not to be convinced納得のいく説明 a satisfactory explanation |
1. 〜ものを ~mono wo (If only… but instead… / When… could have…)
Conjugation
- Verb plain form + ものを
- i-adjective + ものを
- na-adjective + な + ものを
- Common shapes: 「〜ば（いい／よかった）ものを」, 「〜たら（いい）ものを」, 「せっかく〜たものを」
※ It can also end the sentence, leaving the rest unsaid and just the regret: 「早く言えばいいものを。」
Meaning
"If only… but instead…" or "when… could easily have…". The first half says what could or should have happened; the second says what actually happened, which is disappointing. The whole sentence carries the speaker's regret, dissatisfaction or reproach.
Restrictions:
- The second half is a regrettable outcome; it's not for a neutral contrast: ❌ 「雨が降っていたものを、試合は予定どおり行われた」 → ⭕ 「雨が降っていたものの、〜」.
- Mostly used to reproach someone else; about yourself it expresses regret: 「あのとき断ればよかったものを」.
- In speech 「〜のに」 is more common; 「ものを」 is a little more literary and emotional, common in fiction and essays.
Example Sentences
- 一言相談してくれれば力になれたものを、彼はなぜ一人で抱え込んでしまったのだろう。(If he'd only said a word to me, I could have helped — why did he keep it all to himself?)
- 素直に謝ればいいものを、彼女は最後まで言い訳ばかりしていた。(She could simply have apologised, but right to the end she did nothing but make excuses.)
- せっかく忠告してやったものを、彼は聞く耳を持たなかった。(I went to the trouble of warning him, and he wouldn't listen.)
- 黙っていれば誰にも気づかれなかったものを、彼はわざわざ自分から失敗を打ち明けた。(Nobody would have noticed if he'd kept quiet, yet he went out of his way to own up to the mistake himself.)
- あと五分早く家を出ていれば間に合ったものを。(If only I'd left home five minutes earlier, I'd have made it.)
Comparison
| Expression | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| のに | even though… (N5 Lesson 15) | dissatisfaction or surprise; the everyday choice |
| ものの | although… (N3 Lesson 39) | a neutral contrast, granting the first fact |
| ものを | if only… but instead… | regret or reproach; a little literary |
「ものを」 and 「ものの」 differ by one kana, and the test loves to pair them:
「免許は取ったものの、運転する機会がない」 (I got my licence, but I never get to drive) — a neutral statement, so 「ものの」.
「早く免許を取ればよかったものを、ぐずぐずしていた」 (I should have got my licence early, but I kept putting it off) — regret and reproach, so 「ものを」.
If the first half has 「〜ば（いい／よかった）」 or 「せっかく」, it's almost always 「ものを」.
✍ Practice this point (4 questions)
2. 〜といえども ~to ie domo (Even… / Though…)
Conjugation
- Noun + といえども
- Verb / adjective plain form + といえども
- Often with 「いかに」 or 「たとえ」: 「いかに〜といえども」, 「たとえ〜といえども」
※ Very formal: speeches, legal texts, editorials. In speech, people say 「〜でも」 or 「〜とはいっても」.
Meaning
"Even…" or "though…". The first part is usually someone or something of high rank or ability, or a tiny amount (a prime minister, an expert, one yen) — something you might expect to be an exception — and the second part says it's no exception.
Restrictions:
- The second part is usually an obligation, a prohibition, a negative, or a "can still happen" judgement: 「〜なければならない」, 「〜は許されない」, 「〜ことがある」, 「〜わけにはいかない」.
- What comes before is usually a noun. With an established fact ("though it's winter"), it is close to 「とはいえ」.
- The register is high; in casual chat it sounds stiff: △ 「子どもといえども、このゲームは楽しいよ」.
Example Sentences
- 総理大臣といえども、法を犯せば罰せられる。(Even the prime minister is punished if he breaks the law.)
- 子どもといえども、一人の人間として尊重されるべきだ。(Even a child should be respected as a person in their own right.)
- いかに経験豊富なベテランといえども、ミスをすることはある。(However experienced a veteran may be, they still make mistakes.)
- 冬といえども、この地方は昼間なら汗ばむほどの陽気になる。(Though it's winter, in this region the days get warm enough to make you sweat.)
- たとえ一円といえども、公金を私的に使うことは許されない。(Not even one yen of public money may be used for private purposes.)
Comparison
| Expression | Register | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| ても／でも | everyday (N4 Lesson 30) | the plainest concession |
| としても | everyday (N3 Lesson 38) | usually hypothetical: "even if…" |
| とはいえ | formal (N3 Lesson 39) | grants a fact, then qualifies it: "that said…" |
| といえども | most formal | "even (someone high-ranking / a tiny amount) is no exception"; usually followed by obligation or prohibition |
「春とはいえ、まだ寒い」 and 「春といえども、まだ寒い」 are both correct, but the second is stiffer and more formal.
The "even someone of high rank is no exception" use, as in 「総理大臣といえども」, sounds less natural with 「とはいえ」 — it is the signature use of 「といえども」.
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
3. 〜ところを ~tokoro wo (When it would normally be… / Despite your being busy…)
Conjugation
- Verb plain form + ところを
- i-adjective + ところを
- Noun + の + ところを
- Polite set phrases: 「お忙しいところ（を）」, 「お休みのところ（を）」, 「お疲れのところ（を）」, 「お足元の悪いところ（を）」
※ In the set phrases 「を」 is often dropped.
Meaning
- Polite use: "when you are (busy / resting…)". The other person is in an inconvenient situation yet does something for you; thanks or an apology follows.
- Contrast use: "when it would normally be…, instead…". The first part is what would usually happen; the second is what was actually done differently. Often with 「本来なら」, 「普通なら」 or 「いつもなら」.
Restrictions:
- In the contrast use, the first part must be what would or should normally happen, not a simple factual contrast: ❌ 「兄は背が高いところを、弟は低い」 → ⭕ 「兄は背が高いが、弟は低い」.
- In 「〜ところを見る／見られる／見つかる」, 「ところ」 means "the scene, the moment of doing", with no contrast: 「彼が店から出てくるところを見た」 (I saw him coming out of the shop).
Example Sentences
- お忙しいところをお越しいただき、誠にありがとうございます。(Thank you very much for coming despite your busy schedule.)
- お休みのところを申し訳ございませんが、至急ご確認いただきたい件がございます。(I'm sorry to disturb you on your day off, but there's something I need you to check urgently.)
- 本来なら厳しく処分すべきところを、今回に限り注意だけで済ませることにした。(Strictly speaking this called for severe disciplinary action, but this once we decided to let it go with a warning.)
- 普通なら三日はかかるところを、彼はわずか一日で仕上げてしまった。(A job that would normally take three days, he finished in just one.)
- いつもなら笑って許すところを、その日の父はなぜか厳しく私を叱った。(Normally my father would have laughed it off, but that day, for some reason, he scolded me harshly.)
Comparison
| Expression | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 〜ところを (contrast) | when it should have been…, instead… | the first part is the normal expectation, the second what was done instead |
| ところが | however (N3 Lesson 55) | a conjunction at the start of a sentence; the outcome was unexpected |
| 〜たところで | even if…, it's no use (N2 Lesson 59) | followed by a negative judgement; unrelated to 「ところを」 |
| 〜ところを見る | to see (someone) doing… | 「ところ」 is the scene, not a contrast |
On the test 「ところを」 usually comes in one of two shapes: ① 「お忙しいところを〜ありがとうございます／恐縮ですが」; ② 「本来なら〜ところを」. If you see 「本来なら」 or 「普通なら」, think of 「ところを」.
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
4. 〜ながらも ~nagara mo (Although… / While…)
Conjugation
- Verb masu-stem + ながら（も） (mostly state verbs: 知る, 思う, 認める, 感じる…, or 「〜ていながら」)
- i-adjective + ながら（も）
- na-adjective stem + ながら（も）
- Noun + ながら（も）
※ The basics are in N3 Lesson 38. At N1 the focus is on nouns and adjectives, and on set phrases like 「残念ながら」, 「及ばずながら」, 「陰ながら」, 「我ながら」, 「微力ながら」 and 「勝手ながら」.
Meaning
"Although…" or "while…". One subject has two opposing sides at once: the first is a fact or state, the second something that doesn't fit what you'd expect from it. More formal and compact than 「ものの」 or 「が」.
Restrictions:
- Both halves must have the same subject: ❌ 「雨が降りながらも、私たちは出かけた」 → ⭕ 「雨が降っていたが、私たちは出かけた」.
- With an action verb, 「ながら」 is normally read as "while doing"; for contrast use a state verb or 「〜ていながら」: 「知っていながら」, 「認めながらも」.
- The second half describes a fact; no commands or requests: ❌ 「狭いながらも、片付けてください」.
Example Sentences
- 彼はその事実を知りながらも、最後まで口を閉ざしていた。(Although he knew the truth, he kept silent to the very end.)
- 小さいながらも自分の店を持つという長年の夢が、ようやくかなった。(My long-held dream of having a shop of my own, small as it may be, has finally come true.)
- 彼女はまだ新人ながらも、大事なプレゼンを堂々とやり遂げた。(Though still new to the job, she delivered the important presentation with complete composure.)
- 不本意ながら、会社の決定に従うしかなかった。(Reluctantly, I had no choice but to go along with the company's decision.)
- 及ばずながら、私も精一杯お手伝いさせていただきます。(I may not be much help, but I'll do everything I can.)
Comparison
| Expression | Register | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| ながら（も） | formal | two sides of one subject; nouns and adjectives can attach |
| つつ（も） | more formal (N2 Lesson 59) | verb masu-stem only; usually 「〜と知りつつ」, 「〜と思いつつ」 |
| ものの | formal (N3 Lesson 39) | subjects can differ; grants the first part, then contrasts |
| くせに | casual (N3 Lesson 38) | also "even though…", but with strong blame or contempt |
「知っていながら」, 「知りつつ」 and 「知っているくせに」 are close in meaning: the first two state a fact, while 「くせに」 accuses.
Noun attachments like 「新人ながら」 or 「素人ながら」 are impossible with 「つつも」 — a distinction N1 likes to test.
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
5. 〜とはいうものの ~to wa iu monono (That said… / Although…)
Conjugation
- Verb / i-adjective plain form + とはいうものの
- na-adjective / noun (だ) + とはいうものの
- At the start of a sentence as a conjunction: 「とはいうものの、〜」
※ It feels like 「とはいえ」 + 「ものの」, with more stress than plain 「ものの」 on "that's what's said, but…".
Meaning
"That said…" or "although…, in reality…". It first grants a fact or a common view, then points out that reality isn't quite so rosy; the second half often has 「まだ」, 「なかなか」, 「いまだに」 or 「実際は」.
Restrictions:
- The second half describes reality, usually the speaker's feeling or judgement, and rarely a command or volition: △ 「春とはいうものの、コートを着ていきなさい」 — 「とはいえ」 fits better there.
- The first part can be what other people say, common knowledge, or something about yourself.
Example Sentences
- 暦の上では春とはいうものの、まだ朝晩は冷え込む。(It may be spring according to the calendar, but mornings and evenings are still cold.)
- ダイエットを始めたとはいうものの、甘いものはなかなかやめられない。(I've started a diet, but I just can't give up sweets.)
- 日本に住んで十年になるとはいうものの、敬語にはいまだに自信がない。(I've lived in Japan for ten years, yet I'm still not confident with keigo.)
- 景気は回復傾向にあるとはいうものの、庶民の暮らしが楽になったという実感はない。(The economy may be on the mend, but ordinary people don't feel that life has got any easier.)
- 来年こそ転職しようと決めた。とはいうものの、何から始めればいいのかわからない。(I've decided that next year I'm definitely changing jobs. That said, I have no idea where to start.)
Comparison
| Expression | Second half | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| ものの | a fact (N3 Lesson 39) | the basic "although" |
| とはいうものの | a fact or feeling | stresses "that's what's said, but in reality…"; can open a sentence |
| とはいえ | a fact, or advice / prohibition (N3 Lesson 39) | 「春とはいえ、油断は禁物だ」 is perfectly natural |
| といっても | qualifies the degree (N3 Lesson 51) | "it's called…, but really only…": 「料理ができるといっても、簡単なものだけだ」 |
The two are mostly interchangeable: 「春とはいうものの寒い」 ≈ 「春とはいえ寒い」. The difference is in what follows: for advice or prohibition like 「〜てはいけない」 or 「〜べきだ」, 「とはいえ」 is the most natural.
「といっても」 is about the degree being less than it sounds, a different angle from 「とはいうものの」's "reality falls short".
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
6. 〜（よ）うが/〜（よ）うと ~(yo) u ga / ~(yo) uto (No matter… / Whatever…)
Conjugation
- Verb volitional form + が／と (書こうが, 食べようと, 来ようが, しようと)
- i-adjective (drop い) + かろう + が／と (寒かろうが, 安かろうと)
- na-adjective / noun + だろう／であろう + が／と (不便だろうが, 学生であろうと)
- Often with a question word or 「いくら」, 「たとえ」, 「どんなに」
※ Two different verbs side by side (「泣こうがわめこうが」) work the same way as here; the positive-and-negative pair of one verb, 「〜（よ）うが〜まいが」, is in Lesson 78.
Meaning
"No matter…" or "whatever…". Whatever the first part is, the second part stays the same — said with firm resolve, or with a "nothing to do with me, suit yourself" tone.
Restrictions:
- The second part is unaffected: a resolution, a claim, an unchanging fact, 「関係ない」, 「自由だ」, 「構わない」…; ❌ not a result that the first part changed: 「雨が降ろうと、試合は中止になった」 → ⭕ 「雨が降ったので、試合は中止になった」.
- For hypothetical or general cases; it can't report a single past event that actually happened: ❌ 「昨日は雨が降ろうと出かけた」 → ⭕ 「昨日は雨が降っていたのに出かけた」.
- 「（よ）うと」 is slightly more formal than 「（よ）うが」; the meaning is the same.
Example Sentences
- 周りに何と言われようと、自分の決めた道を進むつもりだ。(Whatever people around me say, I intend to follow the path I've chosen.)
- 誰が反対しようが、この計画は予定どおり実行する。(No matter who objects, this plan will go ahead as scheduled.)
- たとえ給料が安かろうと、やりがいのある仕事がしたい。(Even if the pay is low, I want a job that's worth doing.)
- いくら謝られようが、一度失った信頼は簡単には戻らない。(However much they apologise, trust once lost doesn't easily come back.)
- 相手が大企業であろうと、不当な要求には毅然とした態度で臨むべきだ。(Even if the other side is a big corporation, we should stand firm against unreasonable demands.)
Comparison
| Expression | Register | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| ても | everyday (N4 Lesson 30) | the plainest "even if" |
| としても | everyday (N3 Lesson 38) | strongly hypothetical |
| にしろ／にせよ | formal (N2 Lesson 59) | plain form + it: "even if"; also 「AにしろBにしろ」 |
| （よ）うが／（よ）うと | rather forceful | volitional form + it; "nothing will change it", with resolve or indifference |
「何を言われても」 and 「何と言われようと」 mean the same; the second is stronger and more determined.
The form is tested: verbs take the volitional (「来ようが」 is read 「こようが」), i-adjectives 「〜かろう」, nouns 「だろう／であろう」. ❌ 「安いようと」 → ⭕ 「安かろうと」.
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
7. 〜にしたって ~ni shita tte (Even if… / Even… [casual])
Conjugation
- Noun + にしたって
- Verb / i-adjective plain form + にしたって
- Question word + にしたって (どっちにしたって, いずれにしたって, 何にしたって)
※ The casual form of 「にしても」 (N3 Lesson 39), used in conversation and relaxed writing.
Meaning
- Even if…: grants the first part, but the second still holds — often with dissatisfaction or criticism: 「冗談にしたって言いすぎだ」.
- X too / even X: 「Xにしたって」 = "X is no different", pointing out that someone else has their own difficulties or views: 「私にしたって、好きでやっているわけじゃない」.
- Question word + にしたって: "either way": 「どっちにしたって」.
Restrictions:
- Casual; in formal documents or papers use 「にしても」 or 「にせよ」: △ 「首相にしたって、国会で説明する責任がある」 (odd in a news report).
- The second part is usually the speaker's judgement, complaint or "anyway…", not a bare statement of fact.
Example Sentences
- 冗談にしたって、言っていいことと悪いことがある。(Even as a joke, there are things you can say and things you can't.)
- いくら忙しかったにしたって、電話の一本ぐらいかけられたはずだ。(However busy you were, you could surely have made one phone call.)
- 私にしたって、好きでこんな仕事を引き受けたわけじゃない。(I didn't take this job on because I wanted to, either.)
- 部長にしたって、本当は今回の方針に納得していないはずだ。(Even the department head can't really be happy with this policy.)
- どっちにしたって、今日中に結論を出さなければならない。(Either way, we have to reach a decision today.)
Comparison
| Expression | Register | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| にしても | everyday (N3 Lesson 39) | the basic form; fine in speech and writing |
| にしたって | casual | the colloquial form of 「にしても」; more offhand, often complaining |
| にしろ／にせよ | formal (N2 Lesson 59) | more formal; 「いずれにせよ」 is common in writing |
| にしたところで | slightly formal | same meaning as 「にしたって」, mostly in the "from X's point of view too" use |
「いずれにしても」, 「いずれにせよ」 and 「いずれにしたって」 all mean "anyway", ranging from neutral to formal to casual.
When 「にしたって」 appears on the test, the sentence is usually conversational, and the second half is a judgement or complaint like 「〜はずだ」, 「〜わけじゃない」 or 「〜すぎる」.
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
Practice
Part 1: Choose the appropriate grammar (ものを / といえども / ところを / ながらも / とはいうものの / ようと / にしたって / ものの)
- 早く言ってくれれば手伝った（ ）、どうして黙っていたの。
- 大臣（ ）、法律を守らなければならない。
- お疲れの（ ）、わざわざお越しいただきありがとうございます。
- 狭い（ ）、日当たりのいい快適な部屋だ。
- 免許は取った（ ）、まだ一人で運転するのは怖い。
- 誰に何と言われ（ ）、私の気持ちは変わらない。
- 私（ ）、この結果には納得していないよ。
- 本来なら罰金を払わなければならない（ ）、今回は警告だけで許してもらった。
Part 2: Translate into Japanese
- He could have just owned up, but he kept on lying. (Use ものを)
- Even experts find it hard to predict earthquakes. (Use といえども)
- Thank you very much for coming all this way despite your busy schedule. (Use ところを)
- He's an amateur, but he cooks the real thing. (Use ながらも)
- No matter how cold it is, he goes out jogging every morning. (Use ようと)
- However busy you are, you can at least reply to an email. (Use にしたって)
Answers
- ものを (the first half has 「〜ば」 and the sentence is a reproach)
- といえども
- ところを
- ながらも (「ものの」 also works; 「狭いながらも」 + a positive verdict is the most natural)
- とはいうものの (「ものの」 also works; both are a neutral contrast)
- ようと (「ようが」 also works)
- にしたって (conversational: "I'm no different")
- ところを (「本来なら」 comes before it)
- 素直に認めればいいものを、彼は嘘をつき続けた。
- 専門家といえども、地震を予測するのは難しい。
- お忙しいところをわざわざお越しいただき、ありがとうございます。
- 彼は素人ながらも、かなり本格的な料理を作る。
- どんなに寒かろうと、彼は毎朝ジョギングに出かける。
- 忙しいにしたって、メールの返事ぐらいはできるだろう。
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