「〜ものの」- Contrastive Structure

Explanation

「〜ものの」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express contrast, similar to "although...but..." in English. It is typically used to highlight a contradiction or inconsistency between two clauses, where the first clause states a fact or situation, and the second clause introduces a result that contradicts or fails to meet the expectation of the first clause.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Attributive Form + ものの	Verb Attributive Form + ものの	Indicates that despite the first clause being true, the second clause presents an inconsistent or unexpected result.
い-Adjective Attributive Form + ものの	い-Adjective Attributive Form + ものの	Connects two clauses to show contrast or contradiction.
な-Adjective Stem + な + ものの	な-Adjective Stem + な + ものの	Often used for past events, where the expected result of the first clause did not occur or the opposite happened.
Noun + である + ものの	Noun + である + ものの	Indicates that despite the first clause being true, the second clause presents an inconsistent or unexpected result.

Basic Usage and Examples

• 彼かれは先生せんせいであるものの、教おしえ方かたが下手へただ。
• Kare wa sensei de aru mono no, oshiekata ga heta da.
• Although he is a teacher, his teaching methods are poor.
  

• あのあの映画えいがは一度いちど見みたものの、話はなの筋すじが全くまったくわからなかった。
• Ano eiga wa ichido mita mono no, hanashi no suji ga mattaku wakaranakatta.
• Although I watched that movie once, I couldn't understand the plot at all.
  

Deep Dive

Basic Concept

「〜ものの」 is primarily used to express a contradiction or inconsistency between two clauses. The first clause usually states a fact, while the second clause introduces a result that contradicts or fails to meet the expectation of the first clause.

Examples

• 五十音ごじゅうおんは発音はつおんできるようになったものの、書かけと言いわれれば自信じしんがない。
• Gojuuon wa hatsuon dekiru you ni natta mono no, kake to iwareba jishin ga nai.
• Although I can now pronounce the fifty sounds, I still lack confidence when it comes to writing.
  

• 歩あるいて帰かえると言いったものの、雨あめが降ふってきたので結局けっきょくタクシータクシーで帰かえった。
• Aruite kaeru to itta mono no, ame ga futte kita node kekkyoku takushii de kaetta.
• Although I said I would walk home, it started raining, so I ended up taking a taxi.
  

Advanced Usage

Nuances

How does 「〜ものの」 differ from other contrastive structures like 「〜けれども」 and 「〜しかし」? 「〜ものの」 is more formal than 「〜けれども」 and 「〜しかし」, and is often used in written language. The second clause often conveys that the expectation of the first clause was not fully realized or was unmet.

Example Comparison

• 薬くすりを飲のんだものの、風邪かぜはなかなかなかなか治なおらない。
• Kusuri o nonda mono no, kaze wa nakanaka naoranai.
• Although I took medicine, my cold still hasn't gotten better.
  

• 薬くすりを飲のんだけれども、風邪かぜはなかなかなかなか治なおらない。
• Kusuri o nonda keredomo, kaze wa nakanaka naoranai.
• Although I took medicine, my cold still hasn't gotten better.
  

As seen, 「〜ものの」 and 「〜けれども」 are similar in meaning, but the former emphasizes a sense of unmet expectations.

Important Notes

• When using 「〜ものの」, the second clause often introduces an unfulfilled result or a fact that contradicts the expectation of the first clause.
• This usage of 「〜ものの」 is often followed by 「Verb/Adjective/Noun Attributive Form or Noun + である」.

Examples

• 彼かれは試験しけんに合格ごうかくしたものの、満足まんぞくしていないようだ。
• Kare wa shiken ni goukaku shita mono no, manzoku shite inai you da.
• Although he passed the exam, he doesn't seem satisfied.
  

• このこの料理りょうりは見みた目めはきれいなものの、味あじがあまり良よくない。
• Kono ryouri wa mita me wa kirei na mono no, aji ga amari yoku nai.
• Although this dish looks beautiful, it doesn't taste very good.
  

Comparison and Differences

Grammar Point	Explanation	Example
〜ものの	Expresses contrast, emphasizing unmet expectations	彼かれは元気げんきなものの、病気びょうきだ。
〜けれども	Also expresses contrast, but is more colloquial and slightly softer in tone	彼かれは元気げんきだけれども、病気びょうきだ。
〜しかし	More formal, often used in written language, expresses strong contrast	彼かれは元気げんきだ。しかししかし、病気びょうきだ。

Real-Life Scenarios

• In written expressions, such as essays or reports, 「〜ものの」 is used to emphasize contrast.
• In spoken language, while 「〜ものの」 can be used, more colloquial expressions like 「〜けれども」 are more common.

Summary

「〜ものの」 is an important grammatical tool in Japanese for expressing contrast. It not only highlights the contradiction between two clauses but also formally conveys that the expectation of the first clause was not fully realized. By mastering the usage of 「〜ものの」, you can more accurately express complex contexts and emotions.