Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 5: 10/21

にしても
even though, even if, even when, also

Structure
Verb + にしても
[い]Adjective + にしても
[な]Adjective + にしても
Noun + にしても
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
In the same way that にしては highlights a point to be considered about (A), or simply 'while (A)', the replacement of は with the adverbial particle も will put further emphasis on (B) being a surprising or unexpected thing that accompanies (A). This continues to reflect the case marking particle 's use as a location.
にしても may be translated as 'even considering (A), (B)', or 'even while (A), (B)', and may be used with any word in its plain form. にして by itself is often considered as a stand-alone adverbial particle, despite stemming from several parts.
  • パーティーに行(い)くにしても、私(わたし)はシャイだからいつも一人(ひとり)飲(の)んでいる
    Even if I go to a party, I am shy so I always drink alone.
  • うち犬(いぬ)は可愛(かわい)いにしても、子供(こども)近(ちか)づく吠(ほ)えるから子供(こども)ない公園(こうえん)に行(い)かないといけない
    Even though my dog is cute, if a child approaches, he barks, so we have to go to a park with no children.
  • 今(いま)は今(いま)ここある分(ぶん)十分(じゅうぶん)にしても、もっと人(ひと)集(あつ)まって来(き)たら足(た)りなくなると思(おも)います
    Right now, even if what we have here is enough, in the event that more people arrive, I think it will not suffice.
  • 独身(どくしん)にしても、家具(かぐ)少(すく)なくない?
    Even for a single person, isn't this not much furniture?
にしても is very regularly used with Japanese's equivalent of WH-words, like どこ, どの, だれ, なに, etc. In these cases, it highlights that 'even considering (A) is undetermined (in location, number, amount, etc), (B)'.
  • ハイキングするときは、どこにしてもベル持(も)って行(い)った方(ほう)がいい
    When you go hiking, no matter where you go, you should go with a bell.
  • もし近所(きんじょ)ルール守(まも)っていない人(ひと)見(み)つけたら、誰(だれ)にしても注意(ちゅうい)なければいけない
    In the case that you see someone not following the rules of the neighborhood, no matter who it is, you have to caution them.
Caution
As opposed to としても, a grammar point that will be covered in another lesson, にしても may introduce new topics (としても may not). This is due to にしても implying that (A) and (B) exist simultaneously, without the need for (B) to necessarily stem from (A). However, としても will always imply that (B) stems from (A) in some way.
  • このプロジェクト難(むずか)しいとしても、クライアントのためにやらないといけない
    Even if this project is hard, we have to do it for the client. (Even though it is hard, we must do it for the client)
  • このプロジェクト難(むずか)しいにしても、締(し)め切(き)りまでには終(お)わらせないといけない
    Even if this project is hard, we must finish it by the deadline. (Even if we go off that fact that it is hard, it must be finished by the deadline)
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すぐ始(はじ)めにしても、肝心(かんじん)の山田(やまだ)さんここにいない。
Even if we start immediately, Mr. Yamada, who is essential, is not here.
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ジュースがいっぱいの樽(たる)を頼(たの)むにしてもまだ足(た)りないと思(おも)います。
Even if we order a barrel full of juice, I still think it won't be enough.
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英語(えいご)勉強(べんきょう)楽(たの)しにしても、日々(ひび)忙(いそが)しく、毎日(まいにち)勉強(べんきょう)続(つづ)けるとても疲(つか)れる。
Even if studying English is fun, continuing it every single day is too tiring.