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N2

ものの

Although, But, Even Though

工夫くふうしてみたものの、結果けっかは大たいして変かわらない。

Although I tried a few things, the result hasn't changed much.

Explanation

Means 'although ..., but ...'. You grant that the first part is a fact or an achievement, but what follows falls short of what you would expect, with regret or disappointment: 「大学に合格したものの、学費が払えるか不安だ」 (I got into university, but I'm worried whether I can pay the fees); 「車を買ったものの、運転する機会がほとんどない」 (I bought a car, but I hardly ever get to drive it). The first part is often in the た form, about something that has happened. Written style.

Mixed up with

In 「ものの」 the first part is a real fact; in 「としても」 it is a supposition. 「免許を取ったものの」 (I got my licence, but ...) differs from 「仮に合格したとしても」 (even if I were to pass).

「けれども」 is the everyday 'but'; 「ものの」 is written, for 'I managed it, but the rest didn't follow'.

A set phrase: 「とはいうものの」 (that said).

Examples

  1. 彼女かのじょはいろんな楽器がっきを演奏えんそうできるものの、楽譜がくふは読よめないらしい。

    Although she can play a lot of instruments, I heard that she can't read music.

  2. 彼かれは日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしているものの、まだ簡単かんたんな会話かいわもできない。

    Although he is studying Japanese, he still can't hold a simple conversation.

  3. AとBを組くみ合あわせてみたものの、ほとんど味あじが変かわらないな。

    Although I tried combining A and B, it tastes almost the same.

Tested 5 times in past papers

N1 · Jul 2025, Q31N2 · Jul 2023, Q33N1 · Jul 2016, Q33N2 · Jul 2015, Q38N1 · Dec 2012, Q32