それでも

Even So

Level 2Sounds Like soredemo

Use それでも when you want to say 'even so' or 'nevertheless.' It acknowledges a difficult situation (A) but states that a certain action or fact (B) remains true regardless.

How It Works

1. Meaning and Usage
それでも is used to connect two sentences where the second sentence presents a result or action that is unexpected given the first sentence. It translates to 'even so,' 'nevertheless,' or 'but still.'

2. Nuance of Persistence
Unlike a simple しかし or でも, それでも carries a nuance of resilience. It implies that the speaker has acknowledged the problem but chooses to move forward anyway. It is often used to show a strong determination.

3. Structure
It is a standalone conjunction that usually starts a sentence:
Sentence A. それでも、Sentence B.

4. Idiomatic Usage: Questioning Status
それでも is frequently used in questions to challenge someone's character or status relative to their actions. The pattern それでも[Noun]か translates to 'And you call yourself a [Noun]?' or 'Are you still a [Noun] despite that?'
Example: 「それでも医者（いしゃ）か！」 (And you call yourself a doctor!)

5. Comparison with similar patterns

  • それでも: Focuses on persistence or a fact that doesn't change despite the situation.
  • 〜のに: Expresses surprise or complaint about an unexpected result.
  • ところが: Used for unexpected events outside the speaker's control.

Examples (4)

  1. 成功する可能性は低い。それでも、私は絶対に諦めない。

    The chances of success are low. Even so, I will never give up.

    Word by Word: Success doing possibility (topic) low. Even so, I (topic) absolutely give up-not.

    This shows the speaker's strong will to continue despite the low probability of success.

  2. 雨がひどくなってきた。それでも、彼は外へ走りに行った。

    The rain started getting heavy. Nevertheless, he went out for a run.

    Word by Word: Rain (subject) heavy became. Even so, he (topic) outside to run to went.

    Here, the action of running persists despite the obstacle of heavy rain.

  3. みんなに反対された。それでも彼女と結婚したい。

    Everyone was against it. Even so, I want to marry her.

    Word by Word: Everyone by opposed was. Even so, her with marry want-to-do.

    The speaker's desire remains unchanged despite the social pressure or opposition.

  4. 薬を飲みました。それでも熱が下がりません。

    I took medicine. Even so, the fever won't go down.

    Word by Word: Medicine (object) drank. Even so, fever (subject) go-down-not.

    This shows an objective fact that persists despite an attempt to change it.

Common Mistakes

  • Using それでも as a simple 'but' for every contrast.

    今日は月曜日です。それでも、明日は火曜日です。
    今日は月曜日です。そして、明日は火曜日です。

    それでも implies a hurdle or something being overcome. Using it for simple logical sequences or basic contrasts where no 'concession' is needed sounds unnatural.

  • Confusing それでも with それなのに when expressing shock or complaint.

    一生懸命勉強した。それでも試験に落ちた。
    一生懸命勉強した。それなのに試験に落ちた。

    While 'soredemo' is grammatically possible, 'sorenanoni' is much more natural when you want to express disappointment or 'and yet' regarding a result that feels unfair.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

それでもLevel 2Even So

Learn This First

To understand 'soredemo' (even so), you need to understand how the demonstrative 'sore' refers back to a previous context and how the particle 'demo' adds a sense of 'even' or 'but'. It functions as a conjunction that acknowledges a fact but continues despite it.

Words in This Pattern