“mottomo” (conjunction): That Said / Then Again (conceding, then adding a caveat) [JLPT N2]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

“It's very convenient. That said, it takes time to get used to.” — granting the first half, then qualifying it

「彼は優秀だ。もっとも、経験はまだ浅いが」 — true enough, but let me add one thing …

「彼は非常に優秀だ。もっとも、この分野の経験はまだ浅いが」 (he's highly capable. That said, his experience in this field is still shallow) — the connective 「もっとも」 means “that said, though”: granting that the prior is correct, but adding a proviso, correction, or exception. This guide covers the connective 「もっとも」, separating it from its homographs (最＝もっとも, 有道理＝もっともだ) and from 「ただし・しかし」 (N2).

Core: that said, though (adding a proviso/correction)

The connective 「もっとも」 goes at the head of a clause, meaning “(the prior is correct, but) though (let me add an exception/proviso/correction)”:

• 明日は晴れるでしょう。もっとも、山間部では雨のところもあります (it'll probably be clear tomorrow. That said, some mountain areas will have rain).
• この店は美味しい。もっとも、少し高いけどね (this shop is tasty. That said, a bit pricey).

Feel: “that said／though” — the core is “first affirm the prior, then add a proviso, limit, or exception,” making the statement more complete and precise. It's not a strong turn (unlike 「しかし」 overturning the prior), but a gentle supplementary correction (the prior is broadly right, but there's a small exception to note). Common in formal and written contexts too.

Use & distinguishing homographs

Examples in context

• 彼の日本語は上手だ。もっとも、敬語はまだ苦手らしい。(His Japanese is good. That said, he's apparently still weak on honorifics.)
• 参加は自由です。もっとも、全員に来てほしいのが本音ですが。(Attendance is optional. That said, honestly I'd like everyone to come.)
• 計画は順調だ。もっとも、予算の問題は残っている。(The plan is going well. That said, the budget issue remains.)
• 彼女は怒った。もっとも、それも当然のことだ。(She got angry. That said, that too is only natural.)
• 試験は簡単だった。もっとも、油断は禁物だが。(The exam was easy. That said, no room for complacency.)

⚠️ Where learners slip up

① The connective 「もっとも」 ‘adds a proviso,' not a strong turn. It differs from 「しかし (but)」. しかし = but (overturning/contrasting the prior, a stronger turn) (安い。しかし、質は悪い = cheap, but the quality is bad — a strong turn); もっとも = that said, though (granting the prior is right, just adding an exception/limit, gentler) (安い。もっとも、量は少ないが = cheap. That said, the amount is small — adding a proviso). もっとも doesn't overturn the prior, just “broadly right, but adding a small exception/correction,” gentle in tone. For a strong turn use しかし, for a gentle proviso use もっとも.

② Don't confuse it with the homographs 「最も (most)」「もっともだ (reasonable)」. Three 「もっとも」 are homographs with different meanings: connective もっとも (clause-initial) = that said (もっとも、〜だが); adverb 最も = most ～ (最も高い = highest); na-adjective もっともだ = reasonable, makes sense (ご意見はもっともです = your opinion is reasonable). Told apart by position and use: clause-initial, followed by a supplement = connective (that said); 「最も ＋ adjective」 = most; 「〜はもっともだ」 = reasonable. Don't render every 「もっとも」 as “most” or “reasonable.”

③ 「もっとも」 is often closed with 「が・けど」. The proviso 「もっとも」 adds often ends with 「〜が」「〜けど」「〜けどね」 (a reserved “…, though”): 美味しい。もっとも、高いが (tasty, though pricey); 参加自由です。もっとも、来てほしいけど (optional, though I'd like you to come). This 「が／けど」 makes the added proviso sound more natural, with a “that said, just …” lingering.

🔄 Compare: もっとも／ただし／しかし／とはいえ

💡 An exam judgment tip

The connective 「もっとも」 = that said, though, its core “first grant the prior is correct, then gently add a proviso, exception, or correction” (彼は優秀だ。もっとも、経験は浅いが = he's capable, though his experience is shallow). Three points: ① it gently adds a proviso, not a strong turn — it doesn't overturn the prior (unlike 「しかし」), just adds a small exception/limit; ② distinguish the homographs — clause-initial connective = that said, 「最も」 = most, 「もっともだ」 = reasonable; ③ it's often closed with 「が／けど」 (…, though). It makes an argument more complete and precise — affirm first, then supplement — with a “tactful, well-rounded” feel. To add a “that said …” after affirming, もっとも is the most fitting.

❓ Quick FAQ

Q: The connective 「もっとも」 and 「しかし」 are both turns — what's the difference?

The strength of the turn: しかし is a strong turn (overturning/contrasting), もっとも a gentle proviso (granting the prior, just adding an exception). 「しかし」 = but (contrasting two opposing, even opposite facts, or overturning the prior expectation, a stronger turn): この料理は見た目がいい。しかし、味はいまいちだ (this dish looks good, but the taste is mediocre — contrasting “looks good” and “tastes bad,” a strong turn, the point often in the second clause). Its second clause often opposes, even negates, the prior's positive impression. 「もっとも」 = that said, though (granting the prior is broadly correct, just gently adding an exception, limit, or correction, not overturning it): この料理は美味しい。もっとも、少し量が少ないが (this dish is tasty. That said, the portion is a bit small — “tasty” still holds, just adding a small flaw/exception). Its first clause still stands; the second just “supplements a small proviso,” gentle in tone. Difference: しかし is “A, but (the opposite) B” (a strong turn, often negating A's impression); もっとも is “A (true). That said, (a proviso/limit) B” (A still holds, just adding a proviso). So for a strong turn, contrast, use しかし; to “affirm first, then gently add an exception/proviso (rounding out the statement)” use もっとも. もっとも is also often closed with 「が／けど」, with a “…, though” reserved lingering.

Q: 「もっとも」 has several meanings (most, reasonable, that said) — how do I tell them apart?

「もっとも」 is a homograph with three common uses, told apart by part of speech and position:

① Connective 「もっとも」 = that said, though (clause-initial, adding a proviso/exception): 試験は簡単だった。もっとも、油断は禁物だが (the exam was easy. That said, no room for complacency). It goes at a clause's head, picking up the prior to supplement/correct. This is the guide's focus.

② Adverb 「最も」 = most ～ (before an adjective/adverb, the superlative): 富士山は日本で最も高い山だ (Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan); 最も大切なのは健康だ (the most important thing is health). It modifies a following adjective, meaning “most.” Written 「最も」 in kanji.

③ na-adjective 「もっともだ」 = reasonable, makes sense (as a sentence-final predicate, or 「もっともな ＋ noun」): あなたが怒るのももっともだ (it's understandable that you're angry); それはもっともな意見だ (that's a reasonable opinion). It means “reasonable, understandable.”

Trick: clause-initial, followed by a supplement → connective (that said); 「最も ＋ adjective」 → adverb (most); 「〜はもっともだ／もっともな ＋ noun」 → na-adjective (reasonable). All three are homophones/homographs, but wholly different in position and use — see the role it plays in the sentence and you can tell them apart. This guide covers the connective “that said” use.

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「この案は良い。___、コストの問題は残るが。」（however — adding a caveat）

(A) もっとも　(B) もっと　(C) まったく　(D) もちろん

Q2. The conjunction 「もっとも」の意味は?

(A) However / that said (acknowledging, then adding a caveat)

(B) The most ~ (superlative)

(C) Of course

(D) Completely

Q3. 「優秀だ。もっとも経験は浅いが」の意味は?

(A) Excellent, though still short on experience (a caveat)

(B) Both excellent and experienced

(C) Not excellent

(D) The most experienced

Q4. 「もっとも」とよく一緒に来るのは?

(A) 〜が／〜けど (introducing a reservation)

(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 (superlative)。

(C) もっとも食べる。　(D) もっともだ高い。

Answer Explanations

1. (A) もっとも ── However, the cost issue remains (a caveat).

2. (A) ── However / that said.

3. (A) ── Excellent, though still short on experience.

4. (A) 〜が／〜けど ── Often followed by a reservation.

5. (A) ── 「もっとも、少し遅れますが」 is correct.