connective N2 common casualpolitewritten
それにしても — even so
それにしても
Meaning
- even so / be that as it may — grants the previous point, then remarks that the present situation is still surprising or excessive
Key sentence
渋滞は分かる。それにしても遅すぎる。
I get that there's traffic. Even so, this is way too late.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sentence-initial; also stands alone reacting to a situation | [conceded point]。それにしても [remark of surprise / excess]。 | 忙しいのは分かる。それにしても… |
Examples
彼が忙しいのは知っている。それにしても連絡くらいできるはずだ。
I know he's busy. Even so, he could at least get in touch.
それにしてもよく降るなあ。
Boy, even so, it really is raining a lot.
When you can't use it
- それにしても half-concedes the previous statement ('granting that…') before adding an exclamation; it is not a plain 'but', and the second part is usually an evaluation rather than a flat fact.
Easily confused with
Notes
- On its own, それにしても is a common opener for an exclamation of surprise: それにしても高いね ('even so, that's pricey, huh').
See それにしても in real sentences
Jengo shows それにしても the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.