いくら〜ても

いくらても
expression
no matter how much ~
See also: いくら～ても (no matter how (variant))
1. no matter how much ~
Expresses that despite any amount of effort or quantity, the result remains the same.
いくら説明(せつめい)しても分(わ)からない。
No matter how much I explain, they don't understand.
いくら食(た)べても太(ふと)らない。
No matter how much I eat, I don't gain weight.
いくら待(ま)っても来(こ)なかった。
No matter how long I waited, they didn't come.
いくら頑張(がんば)っても試験(しけん)に受(う)からない。
No matter how hard I try, I can't pass the exam.
いくらお金(かね)があっても、時間(じかん)がなければ意味(いみ)がない。
No matter how much money you have, it's meaningless if you don't have time.

いくら〜ても is a grammar pattern expressing that regardless of the degree or amount, the result does not change. It conveys a sense of futility or emphasis.

PATTERN:

  • いくら + verb (て-form) + も: いくら食(た)べても (no matter how much I eat)
  • いくら + i-adjective (-くても): いくら高(たか)くても (no matter how expensive)
  • いくら + na-adjective / noun (でも): いくら静(しず)かでも (no matter how quiet)

USAGE:
The main clause typically states a negative or unexpected outcome: いくら説明(せつめい)しても分(わ)からない (no matter how much I explain, they don't understand).

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • どんなに〜ても: no matter how (interchangeable in most cases)
  • 何度(なんど)〜ても: no matter how many times (focuses on repetition)
  • たとえ〜ても: even if (more hypothetical)

NOTE:
いくら can also be used alone to mean "how much" (as a question word) or "some amount."

core
Added 2026.1.9 21:48 · Revised 2026.3.26 15:22
02000/02008_ikuratemo