JLPT N1 Grammar (tomo~tomo)

Meaning

unable to draw a conclusion; unable to judge

Level: JLPT N1

How to use

Verb (casual)ともVerb (casual)とも
NounNoun
AdjectiveAdjective
tomo~tomo とも～とも jlpt n1 grammar meaning 文法 例文 japanese flashcards

Learn Japanese grammar: (tomo~tomo). Meaning: whether A or B (shows doubt or uncertainty between the two things). Unable to draw a conclusion; unable to judge.

This is often followed by verbs like 「言えない」、「選べない」、「判断できない」.

tomo~tomo とも～とも jlpt n1 grammar meaning 文法 例文 learn japanese flashcards

Click the image to download the flashcard.

become a patron

Access ALL extra downloads, ebooks, and study guides by supporting JLPT Sensei on Patreon.

- Example Sentences

Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.

Click the below red button to toggle off and and on all of the hints, and you can click on the buttons individually to show only the ones you want to see.

Example #1

それはただしいとも、まちがっているともいえない。
sore wa tadashii tomo, machigatteiru tomo ienai.
I can't say whether that is correct or not.
Example #2

いくともいかないとももうしかねます。
iku tomo ikanai tomo moushi kanemasu.
I can not say whether I shall go or not.
Example #3

これはほんものともにせものともはんだんができません。
kore wa honmono tomo nisemono tomo handan ga dekimasen.
I can't tell whether this is genuine or fake.
Example #4

しごとがないのでまいにちともだちとあそんでいる。ひまともいえるしいそがしいともいえる。
shigoto ga nai node mainichi tomodachi to asonde iru. hima tomo ieru shi isogashii tomo ieru.
I don't have a job, so I play with my friends every day. It could be said that I'm free or that I'm busy.
Example #5

さいきんのゲームは、こどもにいいともわるいともいえません。
saikin no geemu wa, kodomo ni ii tomo warui tomo iemasen.
One can't really say whether video games nowadays are good or bad for children.
Example #6

かのじょはしつもんにたいするこうていともひていともとれるへんじがうまい。
kanojo wa shitsumon ni tai suru koutei tomo hitei tomo toreru henji ga umai.
She's really good at answering questions in a way where you can't tell if she's agreeing or disagreeing.
Example #7

やれともやるなともいうたちばにはございませんけれども、せいしきのはっぴょうというものをまってあらためてはんだんをしたいとおもっています。
yare tomo yaruna tomo iu tachiba ni wa gozaimasen keredo mo, seishiki no happyou to iu mono o matte aratamete handan o shitai to omotte imasu.
While I am not in a position to tell them whether or not to do this, I would like to reserve my judgment until after a formal announcement has been made.

Vocabulary List

KanjiKanaEnglish
肯定こうていaffirmation
否定ひていdenial
上手いうまいskilled
本物ほんものgenuine; real
偽物にせものfake

View all JLPT N1 Vocabulary Lessons

JLPT N1 vocabulary list

View all JLPT N1 Grammar Lessons

JLPT N1 Study Guide

N1 Grammar Flashcards

JLPT N1 Grammar List Flashcards, Japanese 文法

Full Batch Download

Download link includes:

  • Print-ready PDF of square flashcards with cut-out guides (see preview)
  • Full set of high quality .png image flashcards
    • JLPT N1 Grammar 文法 square size (253 images)
    • JLPT N1 Grammar 文法 rectangle size (253 images)
Join our subscription list to get the latest lessons / content