Grammar › Concession & Contrast
にしても — “even granting that, even if”
Concedes a point as true, then argues the conclusion still doesn't fully follow
Plain form (or noun) + にしても grants that something is true or reasonable, but then argues that it doesn't excuse or fully explain what follows — “even granting X, still Y.” It's close to ものの/のに but frames the first clause as a concession the speaker is explicitly allowing.
How to form it
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Plain form + にしても | 忙しいにしても、連絡ぐらいできたはずだ — Even granting that he was busy, he could've at least gotten in touch |
Example sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 冗談にしても、ひどい言い方だ。 | じょうだんにしても、ひどいいいかただ。 joudannishitemo、hidoiiikatada。 | Even granting it was a joke, that was a harsh thing to say. |
| 疲れていたにしても、あの態度はよくない。 | つかれていたにしても、あのたいどはよくない。 tsukareteitanishitemo、anotaidohayokunai。 | Even granting he was tired, that attitude wasn't okay. |
| いくら安いにしても、これは品質が低すぎる。 | いくらやすいにしても、これはひんしつがひくすぎる。 ikurayasuinishitemo、korehahinshitsugahikusugiru。 | Even granting it's cheap, the quality here is too low. |
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Watch out
にしても concedes a point in order to argue against its implied excuse — it's not simply “or” the way にしろ/にせよ pairs two options; にしても usually stands with a single conceded fact, not a pair of alternatives.