〜ものの

〜ものの

although

"Although X, Y": X is true, but what you would expect to follow from it does not. It sounds written or formal.

Readings

How to form it

Put the plain form, often the past, before ものの: 勉強(べんきょう)したものの.
な-adjectives take な: 便利(べんり)なものの.

Examples

日本語(にほんご)を勉強(べんきょう)したものの、まだ話(はな)せない。

I studied Japanese, but I still can't speak it.

行(い)くと言(い)ったものの、行(い)きたくない。

I said I'd go, but I don't want to.

Notes

It often describes something begun or promised that went no further: 買(か)ったものの、一度(いちど)も使(つか)っていない (I bought it, but I've never used it).

Common mistakes

Confusing it with 〜ものだから (because).

Similar meaning

〜のにeven though
"Even though" with surprise or complaint; more conversational.
〜にもかかわらずdespite
"Despite"; formal, and often straight after a noun.

Same form, different meaning

〜ものだからbecause (as an excuse)
ものだから: "because", when giving an excuse.