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

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

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.
  • 私(わたし)の妹(いもうと)はピアノを弾(ひ)くのがじょうずだ。もっとも、弾(ひ)けるのは一曲(いっきょく)だけだ。
    My sister is good at playing the piano. Although, she can only play one song.
  • 俺(おれ)はすき焼(や)きが大好(だいす)きだ。もっとも、毎日(まいにち)食(た)べれる訳(わけ)では無(な)い。
    I love sukiyaki. Although, it does not mean that I can eat it everyday.
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.
  • 私(わたし)は韓国(かんこく)についてものすごく詳(くわ)しいです。もっとも、韓国(かんこく)には行(い)った事(こと)が無(な)いけど。
    I am very knowledgeable about Korea, although I have never been.
  • 今日(きょう)は会社(かいしゃ)に自分(じぶん)のパソコンを持(も)ってきた。もっとも、自分(じぶん)のパソコンはいらないが。
    I brought my own computer to work today, although I don't need to.

Examples

  • この宝石(ほうせき)は非常(ひじょう)に貴重(きちょう)だ。もっとも私(わたし)が持(も)っている中(なか)で一番(いちばん)大切(たいせつ)なわけではない。

    This gem is incredibly precious. However, it does not mean it is the most valuable among the ones I have.

  • あの人(ひと)の話(はなし)は、ある程度(ていど)まで信用(しんよう)できるようだ。もっともまだ疑(うたが)わしい部分(ぶぶん)もあるけど。

    It seems that that man's story can be trusted to some extent. However, there are still parts I doubt.

  • ここにたくさんの杯(さかずき)があります。もっとも、私(わたし)はどれが本物(ほんもの)の聖杯(せいはい)かを教(おし)えることができませんが。上手(うま)く選(えら)んでください。

    There are many cups here. However, I cannot tell you which one is the real holy grail. Choose wisely.

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

    I can speak Japanese. But only a bit.

  • 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。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.

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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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