The difference between [～ても] and [～のに]

Do you know how to say, “It doesn’t turn on, even though I pressed the button.”?

You may learn in your lesson,

⇨👆ボタンを押(お)しても、つきません。

However, you may notice that Japanese people also use “〜のに” in this situation.

⇨👆ボタンを押(お)したのに、つきません。

What is the difference between “〜ても” and “〜のに”？

Is it interchangeable or not?

一緒(いっしょ)に チェックしましょう☺️

Let’s find out together in this post:)

🌟「～ても」: even if~

The sentence with “(てform)＋も” indicates a reverse condition and means "even if."

This “〜ても” sentence is often used for ☆hypothetical situation.

例(れい: example)

アンさんに告白(こくはく)しても、うまくいかないと思(おも)います。

Even if I confess my love to Ann san now, it won’t go well.

🌟「〜のに」：even though~

“(Plain form)＋のに” means “even though~ / in spite of the fact that” and be used when the event or state is contrary to what is usually expected.

例(れい: example)

✍️たけもとさんはよく勉強(べんきょう)しているのに、成績(せいせき)がよくないです。

Takemoto san gets bad grades even though she studies a lot.

Sometimes “〜ても” and “〜のに” are used to describe the same situation as mentioned at the beginning.

・ボタンを押(お)しても、つきません。

・ボタンを押(お)したのに、つきません。

Both sentences mean “It doesn’t turn on, even though I pressed the button.”

Let me summarize the difference below with examples.

❗️The difference between “〜ても” and “〜のに”❗️

①”〜のに” can’t be used for hypothetical situations.

⇨You can use ”〜のに” only when you tell an established fact.

例(れい: example)

❌JLPTを受(う)けるのに、合格(ごうかく)しないと思(おも)います。

⭕️JLPTを受(う)けても、合格(ごうかく)しないと思(おも)います。

Even if I take a JLPT test, I don’t think that I can pass it.

②”〜のに” can express your feelings.

⇨You can express the speaker's subjective feelings such as disappointment, blame, or regret.

On the other hand, the “〜ても” sentence simply tell the fact in a neutral way.

例(れい: example)

😡1時間(じかん)待(ま)ったのに、来(き)ませんでした。

⇨This sentence expresses that “you’re disappointed, frustrated, and sad.”

🙂1時間(じかん)待(ま)っても、来(き)ませんでした。

Even though I waited for 1 hour, she(he) didn’t come.

⇨This sentence just tells the facts.

③ “〜のに” can be used at the end of the sentence.

⇨Japanese people sometimes use “〜のに” at the end of the sentence, but “〜ても” can’t be used like that.

例(れい: example)

⭕️😢早起(はやお)きしたのに…。

Even though I wake up early…(it got canceled…)

❌早起(はやお)きしても…。

⇨you always have to add something after “〜ても” like below.

⭕️早起(はやお)きしても, ドタキャンされるかもしれない。

Even if I wake up early, he may cancel on me at the minute.

④ “〜のに” can’t be used with the sentence that expresses the will.

⇨You cannot use “〜のに” with expressions related to the speaker's will, giving orders, making requests, etc.

On the other hand, “〜ても” can be used with these types of sentences.

例(れい: example)

❌仕事(しごと)があるのに、コンサートに行(い)きたいです。

⭕️仕事(しごと)があっても、コンサートに行(い)きたいです。

🎶I want to go to the concert even if(though) I have work.

どうでしたか。(how’s my explanation?)

すこし難(むずか)しいですが、日本語(にほんご)はおもしろいですよね:)

Tomo Japaneseでいっしょにたくさん日本語(にほんご)を 話(はな)しましょう！

I hope you enjoy learning and talking Japanese!

Takemoto