JLPT N2 grammar
〜ものの — Meaning & Examples
"Although (it's true that)..." Concedes a fact, then notes reality clashed with it. 免許は取ったものの運転できない. Written/formal register. Cf. とはいうものの = "that said."
〜ものの — "Although (It's True That)..."
ものの admits a fact in the first clause, then the second clause says something that doesn't follow as expected. It's common in writing and formal speech.
Pattern: [plain form] + ものの
（na-adj: 〜な/である + ものの、noun: 〜である + ものの）
免許は取ったものの、車がないので運転できない。
= Although I got my licence, I have no car, so I can't drive.
体にいいとは知っているものの、なかなか運動が続かない。
= Although I know it's good for me, I just can't keep up the exercise.
新しい仕事は給料はいいものの、残業が多い。
= The new job pays well, but there's a lot of overtime.
Key feeling: "It's true that X... and yet." The speaker concedes X, then notes reality clashed with what X would suggest. More written/formal than のに.
Related: 〜とはいうものの = "having said that / that said":
難しいとはいうものの、やってみる価値はある。
= That said, it's worth a try even though it's hard.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜ものの. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which concession word is the MOST formal, common in news and writing?
- ものの (mono no)
- くせに (kuse ni)
- にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
- つつ (tsutsu)
Show answer
Answer: にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
にもかかわらず = a strong, formal "despite," frequent in news and written Japanese. More formal than のに.
2. "Although I got my licence, I can't drive (no car)" is best expressed with?
- 免許は取ったものの (menkyo wa totta mono no)
- 免許は取ったくせに (menkyo wa totta kuse ni)
- 免許を取りつつ (menkyo o toritsutsu)
- 免許を取るにもかかわらず (menkyo o toru ni mo kakawarazu)
Show answer
Answer: 免許は取ったものの (menkyo wa totta mono no)
ものの concedes a fact then notes a clash: 免許は取ったものの、車がないので運転できない.
3. Which sentence sounds critical / blaming?
- 知っているものの教えない (shitte iru mono no oshienai)
- 知っているくせに教えない (shitte iru kuse ni oshienai)
- 知っているにもかかわらず教えない (shitte iru ni mo kakawarazu oshienai)
- 知りつつ教えない (shiritsutsu oshienai)
Show answer
Answer: 知っているくせに教えない (shitte iru kuse ni oshienai)
くせに adds blame — 知っているくせに教えない = he knows but (annoyingly) won't tell. The others are neutral or formal.
Practise 〜ものの in the free app
This point is part of the “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N2 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N2 grammar points
From the same lesson: Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ものの mean?
"Although (it's true that)..." Concedes a fact, then notes reality clashed with it. 免許は取ったものの運転できない. Written/formal register. Cf. とはいうものの = "that said."
Is 〜ものの on the JLPT N2 test?
〜ものの is taught in the JLPT N2 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜ものの?
Open the “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N2 mock exams, with no ads.