Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 6: 15/20

としてもEven if (we assume), Assuming, Also as

Sometimes older speakers add だ for emphasis, creating としてもだ.

Structure

Verb + としても
［い］Adjective + としても
［な］Adjective + （だ）+ としても
Noun + （だ）+ としても

Details

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About としても

としても is a structure used in Japanese for expressing thoughts about (A), assuming that it were what is being described. This may be translated as 'even if we assume that it's (A)', or 'assuming that (A)'. However, the literal translation is quite close to 'even going off that it were (A), (B)', as としても simply expresses that despite (A) not being true, the speaker is willing to say that it is for arguments sake, before giving their thoughts about that hypothetical situation.

としても will be seen following verbs and い-Adjectives, or nouns and な-Adjectives that are followed by だ.

In some cases, としても just functions as an extension of として 'as', and can be interpreted as 'even as (A)'. This nuance primarily highlights people or organizations in the position of (A), and states that 'even for (A), it will still be (B)'. Unlike the previous nuance, this としても will only be used with nouns.

Examples

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    たとえできるとしても、やらないだろう。

    I wouldn't do it even if I could.

    例(たと)え話(ばなし)だとしても許(ゆる)されない。

    Even if it is a parable, I can't permit it.

    大人(おとな)向(む)きの本(ほん)だとしても売(う)れます。

    You can also sell it as a book for adults.

    彼(かれ)はピアノ奏者(そうしゃ)だが、オルガン奏者(そうしゃ)としても有名(ゆうめい)です。

    He is a pianist, but he is also famous as an organ player.

    それが正式(せいしき)な回答(かいとう)だとしても、僕(ぼく)はまだ諦(あきら)めきれません。

    Even if we assume that is the correct answer, I still cannot accept it.

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としても – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • onekun

    onekun

    What’s the nuance between this and ても? Is this purely hypothetical or something?

    edit: yeah, I’m pretty sure that is the case. I think that the grammar page should state that so it’s more clear.

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey @onekun !

    Yes, としても has a stronger nuance that something is hypothetical, and it is used when making assumptions.
    Although they have a very similar translation, they are not interchangeable because of the difference in the nuance.

    For example, たとえ出来るとしても、やらないだろう。has a stronger nuance that being able to ‘do it’ is hypothetical, compared to たとえ出来ても、やらないだろう。

    We hope that answers your question!

  • soundjona

    soundjona

    Hello !

    I’m a bit confused because the DBJG seems to say that と can’t be used to assume if (A) is true or not, に has to be used in those case.

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