How to tell them apart
のに states an established fact and then a result contrary to expectation, often with surprise, as in 高いのに美味しくなかった. ても means even if or even though and applies to both imagined conditions, as in 高くても買います, and established facts, as in 高くても美味しくなかった. Thus のに always implies unexpectedness about facts, while ても simply states the second clause holds regardless of the first.
- のに Use のに to present a true fact that makes the following result surprising or disappointing.
- ても Use ても to state the following result holds regardless of the condition, whether imagined or already true.
| 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 expresses that something happens contrary to what would be expected from a stated fact, with a meaning like although or despite the fact that. It follows the plain form, such as 寒いのに, 来るのに, 来たのに and 来ないのに, with な adjectives and nouns taking な, as in 静かなのに and 車なのに. The result clause often shows surprise, disappointment, complaint, or a question about why the unexpected situation occurs, and the tone can sound reproachful so it is avoided in polite neutral contrast.
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こんなに寒いのに、なんで休校にならないんだろう。
I wonder why school isn't being canceled when it's this cold.
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車があるのにどうして歩くの？
Why do you walk when you have a car?
ても temo
regardless of whether something happens; even supposing
ても expresses even if or no matter what, showing that the result in the main clause holds regardless of the condition before it. It is often paired with question words like いくら, だれ, or どんな to stress any amount, person, or situation. Attach も to the te-form of verbs and i-adjectives, as in 行っても or 高くても, and use でも after nouns and na-adjectives, as in 元気でも or 雨でも.
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いくらうまくいっても土曜日までには終わらない。
We cannot finish it before Saturday even if everything goes well.
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自転車に乗る時はいくら注意してもしすぎることはない。
You cannot be too careful in riding a bicycle.
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.