Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 7: 4/21

尤(もっと)もAlthough, But, However, For all that, Provided that

Structure

Phrase (A)。もっとも + Phrase (B)。

Details

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    Standard

  • Rare Kanji

    最も

About もっとも

もっとも, sometimes also seen as 尤(もっと)も, is a conjunction that is used to clarify when (A) is not the only important thing to be considered. This expression is usually translated as 'although'. However, 'for all that', or 'with that said' are also accurate translations, depending on the context. Let's look at a few examples.

Due to もっとも offering clarification about something, the (B) phrase will often end with が, けど, けれども, and other similar expressions.

When もっとも is used, the speaker is agreeing that (A) is true, but not the whole picture. As a noun itself, 尤(もっと)も can be described as 道理に適(かな)う, which means 'to stand to reason'. This nuance is kept, and may also be used as an accurate translation for もっとも as a conjunction.

Examples

--:--

    日本語(にほんご)を話(はな)せます。尤(もっと)も、少(すこ)しだけですが。

    I can speak Japanese. But only a bit.

    みんなラーメンが好(す)きだ。尤(もっと)も、例外(れいがい)もありますよ。

    Most people like ramen. But, there are exceptions.

    それはいい質問(しつもん)です。尤(もっと)も、十分(じゅうぶん)に説明(せつめい)できませんが。

    This is a great question. However, I am not able to fully explain it.

    君(きみ)は正(ただ)しい。オレの一番(いちばん)好(す)きなものは、ラーメンだ。尤(もっと)もいつも食(た)べられるわけではない。

    You are right! My favorite one is ramen. But it doesn't mean I can always eat it.

    とうとう仕事(しごと)を見(み)つけた。尤(もっと)も今(いま)では自分(じぶん)の時間(じかん)がなくなったけど。

    Finally, I have found a job. But now I don't have time for myself.

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      もっとも – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (10 in total)

      • Pablunpro

        Pablunpro

        Hi! Thank you.

        The thing is that this grammar point is about the conjunction, no about the adverb, but it still mixes both as it includes 最も as well as a reference to JapaneseTest4You ’s entry on ‘Most, Extremely’.

        My suggestion is either to remove both these references or to create a Caution section to delve with this other もっとも.

      • celi

        celi

        Yes, I noticed that too. They do confuse the two, the adverb and the conjunction. There is no entry for adverb 最も that means Most, Extremely only the conjunction. If there is a grammar point on the adverb, I couldn’t find it by searching the word もっとも nor 最も.

      • lockster12345

        lockster12345

        Hello,

        I noticed のなかで-がいちばん is listed as a synonym for もっとも, was this in error?

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