How to use ~ても (~temo): A Streetwise JLPT N4 Grammar Guide

temo

ボディーガードがたくさんいても、やつねらう。
Even if he has a lot of bodyguards, I’m gonna target him.

Category: ,

This joint is all about what you do when the world throws somethin’ at you, but you just brush that dirt off your shoulder. It means “even if” or “no matter what.”

It’s for when you lay down a condition, but the result is the opposite of what any sucker would expect. It’s like sayin’, “Even if the feds are watchin’, the deal is still goin’ down.” You got a condition (the feds watchin’) and an unexpected outcome (the deal is on). You feel me? It’s that “I don’t give a damn” energy.

Think of ~ても as a bulletproof vest.

The first part of the sentence is a bullet somebody’s firin’ at you—a situation, a condition, a problem. It could be あめ (it’s gonna rain) or ボスがおこ (the boss is gonna get mad). Normally, a bullet like that is supposed to change your plans, right? But you’re wearin’ the ~ても vest.

So when that bullet hits, it don’t matter. あめっても (Even if it rains…), ボスがおこっても (Even if the boss gets mad…). The vest stops it cold. The second part of the sentence is you, still standin’, unfazed, doin’ what you were gonna do anyway. ...おれ (…I’m still goin’). The condition gets fired, but the outcome ain’t what they expected. You’re untouchable.


Grammar Conjugation Guide

Peep the chart. This is how you lock and load ~ても onto your words.

Word TypeThe RuleExampleTranslation
VerbVerb (て-form) + もべてもEven if I eat
い-AdjectiveDrop the い, add くてもさむくてもEven if it’s cold
な-AdjectiveJust add でも有名ゆうめいでもEven if he’s famous
NounJust add でも警察けいさつでもEven if it’s the police

Gettin’ this right is all about the て-form, ya dig? For verbs, you gotta know your conjugations. For them ichidan verbs, you just drop the final る and slap on て. For godan verbs, it’s a whole system depending on the last character, but you a G, you can handle it. For adjectives, it’s a cakewalk. With い-adjectives, you straight up shank that final い and replace it with くても. For な-adjectives and nouns, you don’t gotta do nothin’ but slide in でも right after ’em. Easy money.


Example sentences with audio

Check out how the real ones use this on the block.

ボスに反対はんたいされても、この計画けいかくをやるぞ。
Even if the boss is against it, I’m doin’ this plan.

警察けいさつても、おれはここにいる。
Even if the cops come, I’m stayin’ right here.

証拠しょうこがたくさんあっても、おれ無実むじつだとる。
Even if there’s a lot of evidence, I’ll insist I’m innocent.

刑務所けいむしょはいっても、くちらない。
Even if I go to prison, I ain’t gonna snitch.

相手あいてつよくても、おれたちのファミリーがつ。
Even if the opponent is strong, our family will win.

どんなにたのまれても、情報じょうほうらない。
No matter how much they beg, I won’t sell the information.

わなだとかっていても、その場所ばしょくしかない。
Even if I know it’s a trap, I have no choice but to go to that place.

司法しほう取引とりひき提案ていあんされても、ことわる。
Even if I’m offered a plea bargain, I’ll refuse.

まちしずかでも、油断ゆだんするな。
Even if the streets are quiet, don’t let your guard down.

たれても、このかね絶対ぜったいわたさない。
Even if I get shot, I will never hand over this money.


Explanation of the vocabulary used

Here’s some fresh vocab to make your Japanese sound legit.

油断ゆだんする

You let your guard down and get caught slippin’.


司法しほう取引とりひき提案ていあんされる

The feds try to make you sing like a canary by offerin’ a deal.


情報じょうほう

You be droppin’ dimes on your crew for some cheese.


刑務所けいむしょはい

You get locked up and gotta do a bid in the pen.



くち
らない

You keep it G and don’t ever snitch on your peoples.


You stick to your story and don’t back down for nobody.


Keep your grammar tight and your game tighter. Holla back.

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