もっとも (JLPT N3)

About もっとも

もっとも, sometimes also seen as 尤(もっと)も, is a conjunction that is used to clarify when (A) is not the only important thing to be considered. This expression is usually translated as 'although'. However, 'for all that', or 'with that said' are also accurate translations, depending on the context. Let's look at a few examples.

Due to もっとも offering clarification about something, the (B) phrase will often end with が, けど, けれども, and other similar expressions.

When もっとも is used, the speaker is agreeing that (A) is true, but not the whole picture. As a noun itself, 尤(もっと)も can be described as 道理に適(かな)う, which means 'to stand to reason'. This nuance is kept, and may also be used as an accurate translation for もっとも as a conjunction.

Examples

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日本語(にほんご)を話(はな)せます。尤(もっと)も、少(すこ)しだけですが。

I can speak Japanese. But only a bit.

みんなラーメンが好(す)きだ。尤(もっと)も、例外(れいがい)もありますよ。

Most people like ramen. But, there are exceptions.

それはいい質問(しつもん)です。尤(もっと)も、十分(じゅうぶん)に説明(せつめい)できませんが。

This is a great question. However, I am not able to fully explain it.

君(きみ)は正(ただ)しい。オレの一番(いちばん)好(す)きなものは、ラーメンだ。尤(もっと)もいつも食(た)べられるわけではない。

You are right! My favorite one is ramen. But it doesn't mean I can always eat it.

とうとう仕事(しごと)を見(み)つけた。尤(もっと)も今(いま)では自分(じぶん)の時間(じかん)がなくなったけど。

Finally, I have found a job. But now I don't have time for myself.

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もっとも – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (10 in total)

mrnoone

English translation:
although
but
however

Structure:
Phrase1。 もっとも + Phrase2。

Explanation:
[Phrase2 often ends with が、けれども (and its variants like けど etc).

View on Bunpro
Anthropos888
This is possible as well:
mrnoone
Nice catch
Added
ljoekelsoey
Ohhhhhh no it’s not!
FredKore
Pablunpro
Hi!

I’ve been reviewing this grammar point and am a little confused. I see in jisho that もっとも can either be written as 最も or 尤も, the former being a 副詞 meaning ‘most, extremely’ whilst the latter is a 接続詞 meaning ‘but, although’, which is the subject of this grammar point.

Then, I see that the 副詞 can be written either as 尤も or 最も but the 接続詞 can only be written as 尤も. However, the grammar point states that ‘あまり見かけない漢字’ is 最も and includes a reference to JapaneseTest4You’s entry on ‘Most, Extremely’.

My question then is if both the ‘あまり見かけない漢字’ and JapaneseTest4You’s entry really belong to this grammar point.

Thank you for your consideration.
Pablunpro
Hi!

Pablunpro:

My question then is if both the ‘あまり見かけない漢字’ and JapaneseTest4You’s entry really belong to this grammar point.

I was wondering if this has been considered. I still feel that this grammar point mixes two different もっともs.

Thank you again for your consideration.
良い週末を
imsamuka
最もis marked in the grammar point as a rare kanji, but it’s apparently more common than 尤も and もっとも
Pablunpro
Hi! Thank you.

The thing is that this grammar point is about the conjunction, no about the adverb, but it still mixes both as it includes 最も as well as a reference to JapaneseTest4You ’s entry on ‘Most, Extremely’.

My suggestion is either to remove both these references or to create a Caution section to delve with this other もっとも.
celi
Yes, I noticed that too. They do confuse the two, the adverb and the conjunction. There is no entry for adverb 最も that means Most, Extremely only the conjunction. If there is a grammar point on the adverb, I couldn’t find it by searching the word もっとも nor 最も.
lockster12345
Hello,

I noticed のなかで-がいちばん is listed as a synonym for もっとも, was this in error?