even if (we assume)
assuming
also as
Structure
- Verb + としても
- いAdj + としても
- なAdj + (だ) としても
- Noun + (だ) としても
Sometimes older speakers add だ for emphasis
creating としてもだ.
A としても B - Even if we assume (hypothetical) A, it would still be B.
[ としても → implies even if something is (already) the case・ にしても → implies even if something becomes the case*]
[The end state/resultant state (either static or dynamic) is what determines which is used]
*There are some exceptions
What’s the nuance between this and ても? Is this purely hypothetical or something?
edit: yeah, I’m pretty sure that is the case. I think that the grammar page should state that so it’s more clear.
Hey @onekun !
Yes, としても has a stronger nuance that something is hypothetical, and it is used when making assumptions.
Although they have a very similar translation, they are not interchangeable because of the difference in the nuance.
For example, たとえ出来るとしても、やらないだろう。has a stronger nuance that being able to ‘do it’ is hypothetical, compared to たとえ出来ても、やらないだろう。
We hope that answers your question!
Hello !
I’m a bit confused because the DBJG seems to say that と can’t be used to assume if (A) is true or not, に has to be used in those case.
What do you think ?
It seems the (Assume) should be more on the bottom row of expressions right ? I know in the source Tae Kim says that hypothesis are made with とする、but it seems backward compared to DBJG …
https://guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/reasoning#Making_hypotheses_with
