Grammar › N1 · 04 Concession and contrast

〜にしても: even if; granted that

N1 · 04 Concession and contrast

Says that even if X is accepted, the speaker still has a complaint or opinion.

Plain clause or noun + にしても. A little more spoken than にせよ. Often shows criticism: 忙しいにしても. Also in pairs: AにしてもBにしても.

Examples

いくら忙いそがしいにしても、連絡れんらくくらいはしてほしい。

However busy you are, I'd like you to at least get in touch.

冗談じょうだんにしても、言いっていいことと悪わるいことがある。

Even as a joke, there are things you can and cannot say.