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もっとも (mind you)

though, mind you, having said that

Statement。もっとも、reservation。

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At the start of a sentence, もっとも adds a reservation to what was just said: 明日は休みだ。もっとも、午前中は少し仕事をするけど, "I'm off tomorrow. Mind you, I'll do a bit of work in the morning".

It softens or qualifies the first statement without overturning it. The second half often ends with けど, が or けどね.

It's close to ただし (N3), but ただし is a formal condition (on notices, rules), while もっとも is a personal afterthought.

As a な-adjective, もっともだ means "reasonable, natural": 彼が怒るのももっともだ, "it's only natural he's angry".

Examples

  • 明日あしたは休やすみだ。もっとも、午前中ごぜんちゅうは少すこし仕事しごとをするけど。

    I'm off tomorrow. Mind you, I'll do a bit of work in the morning.

  • この店みせは料理りょうりがおいしい。もっとも、値段ねだんは少すこし高たかい。

    The food here is good. It's a bit pricey, mind you.

  • 彼かれの意見いけんは正ただしい。もっとも、実行じっこうするのは難むずかしいが。

    His opinion is right. Though putting it into practice would be hard.

  • 試験しけんには合格ごうかくした。もっとも、ぎりぎりだったけど。

    I passed the exam. Only just, mind you.

  • 毎日運動まいにちうんどうしている。もっとも、散歩さんぽだけだけどね。

    I exercise every day. Well, it's only walking.

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