Meaning and Usage
"それでも" is a conjunction used to express contrast or concession, similar to "but still," "and yet," or "nevertheless" in English. It introduces a statement that stands despite the previous fact or situation.
Common Contexts
It is often used in everyday conversation to acknowledge a negative or challenging situation but emphasize persistence, determination, or an unexpected outcome.
Collocations and Patterns
- それでも + [verb/clause]: to express "even so" or "nevertheless".
- Often follows a sentence describing a difficulty or obstacle.
Register and Politeness
"それでも" is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "それでも" with "でも" or "しかし," which also mean "but." However, "それでも" emphasizes continuing despite the previous statement, while "でも" and "しかし" simply contrast two statements without that nuance.