Japanese ものの: although a fact is true

The idea

Attach ものの to a plain verb or い-adjective, to な after a な-adjective, or to である after a noun. The first clause is an accepted fact; the second describes the contrasting reality. The expression is more common in writing and formal speech.

Examples

• 買かったものの、まだ読よんでいません。Although I bought it, I have not read it yet.
• 春はるになったものの、まだ寒さむいです。Although spring has arrived, it is still cold.
• この部屋へやは広ひろいものの、少すこし暗くらいです。Although this room is spacious, it is a little dark.
• 駅えきに近ちかいものの、店みせがありません。Although it is near the station, there are no shops.
• この道みちは便利べんりなものの、車くるまが多おおいです。Although this road is convenient, there is a lot of traffic.
• 彼かれは初心者しょしんしゃであるものの、とても上手じょうずです。Although he is a beginner, he is very skilled.

Watch out

Do not use ものの as a free-standing “but”: it follows a clause. Unlike a mere juxtaposition, it suggests an outcome contrary to an expectation raised by the first fact.

Try it yourself

1. 「買かいました」→ ＿＿ものの、まだ読よんでいません。

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   買った

   買った — Use the plain past of 買う before ものの.

2. 「便利べんりです」→ ＿＿ものの、車くるまが多おおいです。

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   便利な

   便利な — A な-adjective takes な before ものの.

3. 「初心者しょしんしゃです」→ ＿＿ものの、とても上手じょうずです。

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   初心者である

   初心者である — A noun takes the formal copula である before ものの.

Use it today

Describe two real situations where the outcome differs from what the first fact suggests.