HomeGrammarJLPT N1A とも B とも (A tomo B tomo)

A とも B とも (A tomo B tomo)

JLPT N1

Explanation

Expresses two possibilities; 'either A or B', 'whether A or B'.

Formation

Detailed explanation

The 'A とも B とも' grammar pattern indicates two possible scenarios. It can be translated as 'whether A or B' or 'either A or B'.

Examples

Ketsudan tomo ayamari tomo, kekka wa jikan ga oshiete kureru deshou.

Whether it's a wise decision or a mistake, time will show the result.

Kare wa chichi tomo ani tomo, mou nannen mo hanashite inai.

He hasn't spoken to either his father or his brother in years.

Kanojo tomo tomodachi tomo eiga o mi ni iku tsumori desu.

I plan to go watch a movie either with my girlfriend or a friend.

Kono geemu ni wa jikan tomo doryoku tomo ienai hodo no konki ga hitsuyou desu.

This game requires a kind of persistence beyond just time or effort.

Practice

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.