Even though

Conjugations, Stage 2chunk 3 of 4Grammar patterns

Push back, complain, make allowances and play things down.

• -kuse nieven though (critical); and yet
• -kara ttejust because
• -ni shite moeven if; even so; still
• -ni shite wafor a; considering (it's)
• -to itte moalthough; that said; though it's only

Mix-ups ni shite wa (for a) vs ni shite mo (even allowing for); kuse ni vs the neutral -noni.

-kuse ni

〜くせに

even though (critical); and yet

Criticises someone for acting against what they are or know; sounds accusing, so keep it out of polite talk.

Make it plain form + kuse ni; noun + no kuse ni; na-adjective + na kuse ni

-noni is the neutral 'even though'. Ending a sentence on kuse ni is a jab: 'shiranai kuse ni' (like you'd know).

casualPlay

nani mo shiranai kuse ni, erasou ni iu na yo

You don't know a thing, so quit acting like an expert.

何も知らないくせに、偉そうに言うなよ

Rank #648 in 3,030 TV dramas

-kara tte

〜からって

just because

Almost always followed by a negative or a complaint: 'just because X doesn't mean Y'.

Make it plain form + kara tte

Kara to itte is the fuller, more polite form. Compare kara koso, 'precisely because'.

casualPlay

yasui kara tte, kaisugi da yo

Just because it's cheap doesn't mean you buy that much.

安いからって、買いすぎだよ

politePlay

yasui kara to itte, kaisugi desu yo

Even if it's cheap, that's too much to buy.

安いからといって、買いすぎですよ

Rank #884 in 3,030 TV dramas

-ni shite mo

〜にしても

even if; even so; still

Grants one point, then adds a reservation: 'even allowing for that'.

Make it noun or plain form + ni shite mo

'sore ni shite mo' = even so, still: 'sore ni shite mo samui ne'. Compare -ni shite wa, 'for a'.

casualPlay

isogashii ni shite mo, renraku gurai shite yo

Even if you're busy, at least get in touch.

忙しいにしても、連絡ぐらいしてよ

politePlay

isogashii ni shite mo, renraku gurai shite kudasai yo

Busy or not, please at least let me know.

忙しいにしても、連絡ぐらいしてくださいよ

Rank #2105 in 3,030 TV dramas

-ni shite wa

〜にしては

for a; considering (it's)

Says something is surprising given what it is: 'pretty good for a beginner'.

Make it noun or plain form + ni shite wa

The result always goes against what you'd expect. Don't mix with -ni shite mo, 'even if'.

casualPlay

shoshinsha ni shite wa umai ne

You're good for a beginner.

初心者にしてはうまいね

politePlay

shoshinsha ni shite wa jouzu desu ne

You're very good for a beginner.

初心者にしては上手ですね

Rank #2685 in 3,030 TV dramas

-to itte mo

〜といっても

although; that said; though it's only

Plays down what you just said: 'I cook, though it's just simple stuff'.

Make it noun or plain form + to itte mo

Casual: 'tte itte mo'. 'nan to itte mo' = when all's said and done.

casualPlay

ryokou to itte mo, ippaku dake da yo

It's a trip, but only one night.

旅行といっても、一泊だけだよ

politePlay

ryokou to itte mo, ippaku dake desu yo

I say a trip, but it's only one night.

旅行といっても、一泊だけですよ

Rank #3797 in 3,030 TV dramas