How to tell them apart
のに presents an established fact that runs contrary to expectation, while ても marks a hypothetical or conditional concession. The key distinction is whether the dependent clause is already true (上手なのにめったに弾きません) or merely imagined (吸ってもいいですか). Swapping them sounds wrong: you would not say 高いても to describe a steak you have already eaten.
- のに Use のに when the first clause is an established fact that makes the second clause surprising.
- ても Use ても when the first clause is hypothetical or conditional, not yet a settled fact.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| のに noni | in spite of the fact that; although; used for something contrary to expectation | N4 |
| ても temo | regardless of whether something happens; even supposing | N4 |
のに noni
in spite of the fact that; although; used for something contrary to expectation
のに connects two clauses and expresses that the second one goes against what the first would lead you to expect, like "even though" or "despite". It attaches to plain-form verbs and i-adjectives, and to nouns or na-adjectives with な. It can also end a sentence, leaving the speaker's complaint or regret unstated.
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こんなに上手に英語で手紙を書けるのにどうして話せないの？
Why is it you can write a letter in English this well, but can't speak in it?
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あなたが駅に着くのにどのくらいかかりますか。
How long does it take to get to the station?
ても temo
regardless of whether something happens; even supposing
ても attaches to the te-form of a verb or i-adjective (or な/だ after a na-adjective or noun) and means that even in that situation, the result stays the same. It often pairs with words like いくら or たとえ to stress 'no matter how much'.
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たとえどんなことがあってもあきらめません。
No matter what happens, I won't give up.
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何時くらいまでなら電話してもいいですか。
How late can I ring?
のに and ても are both JLPT N4 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.