Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 16/23

何(なん)と言(い)ってもBy any account, All the same, No doubt

Structure

何(なん)といっても + Phrase

Details

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About 何といっても

何(なん)といっても is an expression that is used in almost exactly the same way in Japanese as it is in English, and qualifies that 'no matter what is said, (A)', or 'by any account, (A)'. Being a mix of the substitute noun 何(なん) 'what', or 'whatever', と, the て-form of the う-Verb 言(い)う 'to say', and も, the literal meaning is also 'even whatever one can say (A)'.

何(なん)といっても is used primarily at the beginning of sentences, and frequently highlights something that is a positive aspect of (A).

Like many uses of 何(なに), the pronunciation change to なん is simply for ease of speech.

Despite being used mainly in positive situations, 何(なん)といっても may occasionally appear with a negative nuance as well, although this is far less common.

Related

Examples

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    彼(かれ)の長所(ちょうしょ)は、何(なん)といっても朗(ほが)らかなところだ。

    His strong point is, by any account, his cheerfulness.

    この地域(ちいき)の見所(みどころ)は、何(なん)といっても紅葉(こうよう)だ。

    The highlight of this area is no doubt the fall colors.

    このマンションのセールスポイントは、何(なん)といっても駅(えき)から近(ちか)いことです。

    By any account, this apartment's selling point is that it is close to the station.

    あの牧場(ぼくじょう)のおすすめは、何(なん)といっても自家製(じかせい)のアイスクリームだ。

    My recommendation for that farm, is no doubt, their home-made ice cream.

    うちの会社(かいしゃ)のいいところは、何(なん)といってもボーナスがたくさんもらえることです。

    A good point about our company is, by any account, that we get lots of bonuses.

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      何といっても – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

      • Houndstooth

        Houndstooth

        Can someone explain what the しかし is doing in this sentence and how it changes if it were missing ? I understand it as similar to “but” in English, meaning it would be conradicting something said previous to it. However, nothing is contradictory here, so can it also be used, essentialy, as a less formal しかも in that it simply adds information?

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey @Houndstooth !

        When しかし is used at the beginning of a sentence, it could be used to emphasize something the speaker is surprised/delighted about. When they are used to emphasize what comes after, it can have the same meaning as それにしても ‘anyway’, or なんとまあ (another word used to express surprise or delight).

        So, the sentence; しかし、なんといっても客席きゃくせきのすわり心地ここちが最高さいこうだ。has the nuance of ‘But let me tell you what I was most delighted by, their seats are extremely comfortable’.

        We hope that answers your question!

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