“mottomo” (conjunction): That Said / Then Again (conceding, then adding a caveat) [JLPT N2]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
“It's very convenient. That said, it takes time to get used to.” — granting the first half, then qualifying it
“mottomo” (conjunction): That Said / Then Again (concede, then add a caveat)
The conjunction 「もっとも」 means “that said, then again” — first affirming or granting what was just said, then adding a reservation, exception, or caveat. E.g. 「この案は良い。もっとも、コストの問題は残るが」 (this plan is good. That said, the cost issue remains), 「優秀だ。もっとも経験は浅いが」 (he's excellent. Then again, his experience is shallow). It makes statements more rounded, often ending with 〜が・〜けど. Note: this もっとも differs from the adverb “most (superlative).”
🧠 Core nuance: that's so, but there's one thing to add
The core is granting the prior clause, then adding a caveat: not overturning it, but broadly agreeing while appending a small reservation, condition, or exception (the plan's good, only the cost; he's excellent, only his experience). もっとも sits at the head, meaning “that said, only, then again,” often ending with 〜が・〜けど to bring out the reservation. It makes a statement more rigorous and balanced, common in explanation and critique.
📌 How to Connect
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (clause). もっとも、〜が | that said 〜 (add a caveat) | 〜。もっとも、〜が |
| もっとも ＋ reservation | then again | もっとも、例外もある |
| (note) conjunction, at the head | ≠ 最〜 (adverb) | — |
💬 Example Sentences
- この案はとても良い。もっとも、コストの問題は残るが。(This plan is very good. That said, the cost issue remains.) — adding a caveat
- 彼は優秀だ。もっとも、まだ経験は浅いけれど。(He's excellent. Then again, his experience is still shallow.) — reservation
- すぐ行きます。もっとも、少し遅れるかもしれません。(I'll come right away. That said, I might be a little late.) — adding an exception
- この辺りは便利だ。もっとも、家賃は高いが。(This area is convenient. Then again, the rent is high.) — that said
- 計画は順調だ。もっとも、油断は禁物だ。(The plan is going smoothly. That said, no room for complacency.) — adding a reminder
🔄 Compare: もっとも(conjunction) vs ただし vs とはいえ vs もっとも(adverb)
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| もっとも(conjunction) | “that said, then again” (grant, then caveat) | 良い。もっとも〜が |
| ただし | “however, provided that” (formal exception) | 入場無料。ただし〜 |
| とはいえ | “that said” (concessive contrast) | とはいえ無理だ |
| もっとも(adverb) | “most 〜” (superlative) | もっとも速い |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Confusing with the adverb “most”: conjunction もっとも = that said (at the head); adverb もっとも = most (もっとも速い) — tell by position/context.
- Forgetting the reservation: もっとも often pairs with 〜が・〜けど to bring out the caveat.
- Not overturning the prior clause: it adds a reservation, not a denial (the prior clause still holds).
- Position: the conjunction sits at the head, linking two clauses.
💡 Nuance & When to Use
The conjunction もっとも means “that said, then again,” first granting what was said, then adding a reservation, exception, or caveat (the plan's good, but the cost; he's excellent, but inexperienced). It makes statements more rounded and balanced, often ending with 〜が・〜けど. Close to the formal ただし (a condition) and the concessive とはいえ. Don't confuse it with the adverb もっとも (most…). Common in explanation, critique, and spoken add-ons. A must at N2.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- Commonly tested at N2: conjunction もっとも = that said, then again (grant, then caveat).
- Collocation: often pairs with 〜が・〜けど.
- Distinction: もっとも (conjunction, that said) vs ただし (condition) vs もっとも (adverb, most).
🖊️ 練習題（5題）
Q1. 「この案は良い。___、コストの問題は残るが。」（不過，補但書）
(A) もっとも (B) もっと (C) まったく (D) もちろん
Q2. 接續詞「もっとも」の意味は?
(A) 不過／話雖如此（承認後補但書）
(B) 最〜（最高級）
(C) 當然
(D) 完全
Q3. 「優秀だ。もっとも経験は浅いが」の意味は?
(A) 很優秀，不過經驗還淺（補但書）
(B) 既優秀經驗又豐富
(C) 不優秀
(D) 經驗最豐富
Q4. 「もっとも」とよく一緒に来るのは?
(A) 〜が／〜けど（帶出保留）
(B) ください
(C) なさい
(D) だろうか
Q5. 用法が自然なのは?
(A) 行きます。もっとも、少し遅れますが。 (B) もっとも速い人(最高級)。
(C) もっとも食べる。 (D) もっともだ高い。
答案解析
1. (A) もっとも ── 不過,成本問題仍在(補但書)。
2. (A) ── 不過/話雖如此。
3. (A) ── 很優秀,不過經驗還淺。
4. (A) 〜が／〜けど ── 後常配保留。
5. (A) ── 「もっとも、少し遅れますが」正確。