At N3 you learned のに, けど, and ても for expressing contrast. At N2, you need four more formal written concessive forms — they all mean "although A, B," but differ in register and nuance.
にもかかわらず: Despite (Most Formal)
「にもかかわらず」is the most formal of the four, commonly found in news, academic writing, and speeches:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 試合が中止されたにもかかわらず、選手たちはみんなグラウンドに立っていた。 | Despite the match being canceled, all the players were still standing on the field. |
| 何度注意したにもかかわらず、同じミスを繰り返す。 | Despite being warned multiple times, they keep making the same mistake. |
Connection: Verb plain form + にもかかわらず; Noun + にもかかわらず; な-adj + であるにもかかわらず
Key Points
- Most formal register — rarely used in casual conversation
- Usually implies a strong contrast between the two clauses
- Similar to のに in meaning, but without personal emotion
ものの: Although… (With a Sense of Frustration)
「ものの」acknowledges A as fact, then presents a contradiction or difficulty in B:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 買ったものの、一度も使っていない。 | Although I bought it, I haven't used it even once. |
| 日本語を勉強しているものの、なかなか上達しない。 | Although I'm studying Japanese, I'm not making much progress. |
| 引っ越したいとは思うものの、お金がない。 | Although I'd like to move, I don't have the money. |
Connection: Verb plain form + ものの; い-adj + ものの; な-adj + な/である + ものの
Key Points
- The first clause acknowledges a fact; the second reveals real-world difficulty or contradiction
- More formal than けど, slightly less formal than にもかかわらず
- Often carries a sense of "I did/want to, but…" (resignation)
ながらも: Although… Yet
「ながらも」is the concessive use of ながら (not to be confused with the simultaneous-action usage):
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 無理だと分かっていながらも、難しい仕事に挑戦してきた。 | Although knowing it was impossible, he kept taking on difficult work. |
| 小さいながらも、しっかりした会社だ。 | Although small, it's a solid company. |
Connection: Verb ます-stem + ながら(も); い-adj + ながら(も); Noun + ながら(も)
ながら vs ながらも
| ながら | ながらも | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | While doing… | Although… |
| Example | 歩きながら食べる (eat while walking) | 知っていながらも言わない (although knowing, won't say) |
つつも: Although… Yet (Literary)
「つつも」has the same meaning as ながらも but is more literary:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 実力不足を知りつつも、あえてこの試合にチャレンジしてみたい。 | Although I know my skills aren't enough, I still want to boldly take on this match. |
| ダメだと思いつつも、期待してしまう。 | Although I think it's no use, I can't help but hope. |
Connection: Verb ます-stem + つつ(も)
ながらも vs つつも
| ながらも | つつも | |
|---|---|---|
| Register | Written, slightly informal | More literary |
| Frequency | Higher | Lower |
| Connection | Verbs/adjectives/nouns | Verbs only |
Comparison of All Four
| Pattern | Formality | Nuance | Connection Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| にもかかわらず | ★★★★ | Objective contrast | Verbs/nouns/adjectives |
| ものの | ★★★ | Acknowledging + frustration | Verbs/adjectives |
| ながらも | ★★ | Although… yet | Verbs/adjectives/nouns |
| つつも | ★★★ | Although… yet (literary) | Verbs only |
Memory shortcut: にもかかわらず = most formal, ものの = frustration/resignation, ながらも = most common, つつも = most literary.
Summary
- 「にもかかわらず」= Most formal "despite," used in news/academic writing
- 「ものの」= Acknowledges a fact but presents difficulty/contradiction
- 「ながらも」= Concessive use of ながら, meaning "although… yet"
- 「つつも」= Literary version of ながらも, verbs only
Self-Check
1. Fill in the most appropriate concessive expression:
彼は体調が悪い____、出勤した。(most formal)
Show Answer
彼は体調が悪いにもかかわらず、出勤した。 Despite feeling unwell, he went to work. (Most formal = にもかかわらず)
2. What's the difference between 「買ったものの」 and 「買ったのに」?
Show Answer
- 買ったものの: Although I bought it, but… (objectively acknowledging the fact, more formal register)
- 買ったのに: I bought it and yet… (carries personal dissatisfaction or regret) Both are similar in meaning, but ものの is more written and objective.
3. What does 「悪いと知りつつも」 mean?
Show Answer
"Although knowing it's wrong (but did it anyway / can't help it)." つつも = literary version of ながらも, expressing concession.