“sore demo・sore nanoni・sore nara”: Even So / And Yet / In That Case [JLPT N3]

By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026

“I failed. Even so, I won't give up” “I tried hard, and yet it didn't pay off” — different logical relations

“sore demo・sore nanoni・sore nara”: Even So / And Yet / In That Case

These conjunctions pick up the prior clause and pivot or advance, each differently: それでも = “even so (still…)” (concessive, stressing persistence): 「失敗した。それでも諦めない」 (I failed. Even so, I won't give up); それなのに = “and yet…” (concessive, with dissatisfaction/surprise): 「頑張った。それなのに報われない」 (I worked hard, and yet it doesn't pay off); それなら = “in that case, if so” (picking up a situation to give advice/a condition): 「行きたくないの?それなら無理しなくていい」 (Don't want to go? In that case, no need to force it).

🧠 Core nuance: three “それ＋” — keep concessive vs conditional straight

The core is picking up the prior clause and developing it by different logic: それでも is concessive, “even with that, still…,” stressing persisting unaffected (opposed, yet pushed on); それなのに is also concessive but with dissatisfaction/surprise, “despite that, yet…” (worked hard yet no reward); それなら is conditional/consequential, “given it's that case, then…,” for advice or judgment (don't want to, then don't force it). The first two are concessive; the last gives a condition.

📌 How to Connect

💬 Example Sentences

• みんなに反対された。それでも、彼は計画を進めた。(He was opposed by everyone. Even so, he pushed the plan forward.) — persistence
• 大雨だった。それでも、試合は行われた。(It poured. Even so, the match was held.) — unaffected
• あんなに頑張った。それなのに、結果は最悪だった。(I worked so hard. And yet the result was awful.) — dissatisfaction
• 行きたくないの?それなら、無理して行かなくてもいいよ。(Don't want to go? In that case, you needn't force yourself.) — advice
• お金がない?それなら、私が貸してあげる。(No money? In that case, I'll lend you some.) — condition

🔄 Compare: それでも vs それなのに vs それなら vs それで

⚠️ Common Mistakes

1. それなら as concessive: ✗ 約束した。それなら来なかった → for concessive (despite, yet) use それなのに; それなら gives a condition.
2. それなのに + command: それなのに is a dissatisfied statement, usually not followed by advice/command (that's それなら).
3. それでも vs それなのに: neutral persistence → それでも; dissatisfied surprise → それなのに.
4. Position: all sit at the head, picking up the prior clause.

💡 Nuance & When to Use

それでも・それなのに・それなら are three conjunctions that pick up the prior clause: それでも is the concessive “even so, still…,” stressing persisting unaffected (opposed, yet pushed on); それなのに is also concessive but with dissatisfaction/surprise, “despite that, yet…” (worked hard yet no reward); それなら is conditional/consequential, “in that case, if so,” for advice or judgment (don't want to go, then don't force it). Remember “the first two are concessive (それなのに with dissatisfaction); それなら gives a condition.” A must at N3.

🎯 JLPT Exam Tips

• High-frequency N3: それでも (even so, concessive)/それなのに (and yet, concessive with dissatisfaction)/それなら (in that case, conditional advice).
• Distinction: それでも (neutral persistence) vs それなのに (dissatisfied) vs それなら (advice).
• Don't mix: それなら ≠ それなのに (conditional vs concessive).

🖊️ 練習題（5題）

Q1. 「みんなに反対された。___、彼は計画を進めた。」（即便如此仍推進）

(A) それでも　(B) それなら　(C) それで　(D) そのうえ

Q2. 「行きたくないの?___、無理しなくていいよ。」（那樣的話不必勉強）

(A) それなら　(B) それでも　(C) それなのに　(D) ところが

Q3. 「約束した。それなのに来なかった」の語感は?

(A) 帶不滿的逆接（明明約好卻沒來）

(B) 表示原因

(C) 表示條件

(D) 表示感謝

Q4. 「それなら」が表すのは?

(A) 那樣的話（承接情況給建議/條件）

(B) 即便如此

(C) 因為那樣

(D) 而且

Q5. 用法が自然なのは?

(A) 雨だ。それでも出かけた。　(B) 雨だ。それなら降った。

(C) 約束した。それなら来なかった。　(D) 疲れた。それなのに休めば。

答案解析

1. (A) それでも ── 即便被反對仍推進。

2. (A) それなら ── 那樣的話不必勉強(條件/建議)。

3. (A) ── 帶不滿的逆接。

4. (A) ── 那樣的話(承接給建議)。

5. (A) ── それでも 即便如此;(B)(C)(D) 用錯接續詞。