目錄
Advanced Japanese contrastive and concessive patterns often create the same problem: each one makes sense when studied separately, but once several appear in the same article, they start to blur together. “〜ものの,” “〜ながら（も）,” “〜にもかかわらず,” and “〜とはいえ” are all frequently translated as “although…” or “even though…,” and even “〜一方で” sometimes gets memorized as another type of contrast. Over time, learners are left with vague impressions such as “this one is more formal” or “that one sounds more literary.” In actual Japanese, however, the difference is more often hidden in how the first and second clauses relate to each other. Sometimes something has already happened, but the following result does not match what was originally expected. Sometimes the condition in the first clause should logically have led to a certain result, yet the opposite happens. In other cases, the speaker first accepts something as true and then adds, “but you cannot take that statement too far.” As for “〜一方で,” there is often no surprise at all—it simply places another side of the issue alongside the first.
What Is the Difference Between Concession and Contrast in Japanese? First Distinguish “Unmet Expectations” from “Two-Sided Comparison”
Concession usually contains an expectation that did not come true. In “雨が降っているのに、出かけた,” the fact that it is raining would normally lead you to expect that the person would not go out, yet the actual result is that they did. That mismatch creates concession. Contrast, by comparison, does not necessarily involve any expectation. “兄は東京で働く一方で、弟は大阪で働いている” simply compares where two brothers work. There is no surprise, frustration, or violated prediction.
The five patterns can first be distinguished by looking at the relationship between the two clauses:
| Pattern | Core Relationship | Common English Translation | Key Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| “〜ものの” | A is acknowledged, but what follows is less successful than expected | although…, but… | A happened, but B did not follow as expected |
| “〜ながら（も）” | A is true, yet B creates a contrasting feature | although…, yet… | Contrast within the same person or thing |
| “〜にもかかわらず” | B clearly violates the prediction created by A | despite…, nevertheless… | Condition and result do not match |
| “〜とはいえ” | A is acknowledged, then its scope is limited | although it is true that…, still… | A is true, but you cannot take it as the full conclusion |
| “〜一方で” | Two sides are placed in parallel | on the other hand, whereas | No concession is required |
Even if English uses “but” in all of these cases, Japanese can encode emotional distance, degree of expectation mismatch, and the writer’s stance directly into the grammar. It is therefore more accurate to identify the relationship between the clauses first and then choose the grammar, rather than working backward from an English translation.
Japanese Concessive and Contrastive Grammar: How Do These Five Patterns Connect?
The five patterns do not follow exactly the same attachment rules. “〜ながら（も）” in particular must be distinguished from the beginner pattern meaning “while doing…”. “〜ものの,” “〜にもかかわらず,” and “〜とはいえ,” meanwhile, commonly appear in more organized speech, news, commentary, and written language.
| Pattern | Main Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “〜ものの” | Plain-form verb／い-adjective＋ものの | 買ったものの、安いものの |
| な-adjective＋な／である＋ものの | 便利なものの | |
| Noun＋である＋ものの | 学生であるものの | |
| “〜ながら（も）” | Verb ます-stem＋ながら（も） | 知りながらも |
| い-adjective／な-adjective stem／noun＋ながら（も） | 小さいながらも、子どもながら | |
| “〜にもかかわらず” | Plain form＋にもかかわらず | 知っているにもかかわらず |
| Noun＋にもかかわらず | 大雨にもかかわらず | |
| “〜とはいえ” | Plain form＋とはいえ | 高いとはいえ |
| Noun／な-adjective＋とはいえ | 春とはいえ、簡単とはいえ | |
| “〜一方で” | Plain-form verb／い-adjective＋一方で | 働く一方で、安い一方で |
| な-adjective＋な／である＋一方で | 便利な一方で | |
| Noun＋である＋一方で | 教師である一方で |
Connection rules are only the first layer. The real difficulty is understanding why the sentence is turning in a different direction, so the five patterns are separated below.
How to Use Japanese “〜ものの”｜Acknowledge the First Clause, Then Show That the Result Falls Short
“〜ものの” first acknowledges that the first clause is genuinely true, then explains that what follows does not quite match what was expected. It often appears in situations such as “I bought it, but…,” “I decided, but…,” or “I started, but…”. For a fuller explanation of its conjugation and nuance, you can also refer to this complete guide to Japanese “ものの”.
The first clause with “〜ものの” is not denied. The second clause is where the important reality appears. Compared with “〜のに,” the tone is usually calmer and is well suited to describing a situation that has already reached a certain stage but has stalled or failed to meet expectations.
- Example: 新しいパソコンを買ったものの、まだほとんど使っていない。
Kana: あたらしいパソコンをかったものの、まだほとんどつかっていない。
Translation: Although I bought a new computer, I have hardly used it yet.
The purchase is complete, but the expected use has not followed. - Example: 資格は取ったものの、仕事で使う機会がない。
Kana: しかくはとったものの、しごとでつかうきかいがない。
Translation: Although I obtained the qualification, I have no opportunity to use it at work.
The qualification was genuinely obtained, but the practical benefit has not appeared. - Example: 旅行に行くと決めたものの、まだ日程が決まっていない。
Kana: りょこうにいくときめたものの、まだにっていがきまっていない。
Translation: Although I decided to go on a trip, the dates have not been settled yet.
The decision has already been made, but the follow-up arrangements remain incomplete.
How to Use Japanese “〜ながらも”｜The First State Holds, Yet the Second Creates a Contrast
Concessive “〜ながら（も）” is not the same function as “音楽を聞きながら勉強する.” The former means “although…,” while the latter expresses two actions happening at the same time. For a full explanation of the three major uses of “ながら,” see this complete guide to Japanese “ながら”.
Concessive “〜ながら（も）” frequently combines with stative content such as “若いながらも,” “小さいながらも,” and “知りながらも.” Adding “も” usually makes the contrast between the two clauses more explicit.
- Example: 彼は若いながらも、落ち着いて判断できる。
Kana: かれはわかいながらも、おちついてはんだんできる。
Translation: Although he is young, he can make calm judgments.
Being young and making mature, composed judgments create a contrast based on general expectations. - Example: 小さい店ながら、いつも多くの客でにぎわっている。
Kana: ちいさいみせながら、いつもおおくのきゃくでにぎわっている。
Translation: Although it is a small shop, it is always crowded with customers.
The shop is small, but its popularity is not limited by its size. - Example: 危険だと知りながらも、彼は計画を続けた。
Kana: きけんだとしりながらも、かれはけいかくをつづけた。
Translation: Even though he knew it was dangerous, he continued with the plan.
Knowing about the danger would normally lead someone to stop, yet his actual behavior is the opposite.
How to Use Japanese “〜にもかかわらず”｜The Condition Exists, but the Result Violates the Expected Outcome
The most important point about “〜にもかかわらず” is that the expected prediction does not come true. Condition A would normally be expected to influence the result, but actual result B goes against that reasonable prediction. It overlaps in meaning with “〜のに,” but it is more formal and is better suited to reports, news, speeches, and objective statements.
“〜にもかかわらず” does not simply state that two facts are different. Instead, A would normally lead to a different result, yet B occurs. This sense of “logically, this should not have happened” is central to the pattern.
- Example: 大雨にもかかわらず、多くの人がイベントに参加した。
Kana: おおあめにもかかわらず、おおくのひとがイベントにさんかした。
Translation: Despite the heavy rain, many people attended the event.
Heavy rain would normally reduce attendance, but a large crowd still came. - Example: 十分に準備したにもかかわらず、試験では思うように答えられなかった。
Kana: じゅうぶんにじゅんびしたにもかかわらず、しけんではおもうようにこたえられなかった。
Translation: Despite preparing thoroughly, I was unable to answer the questions as well as I had hoped.
Thorough preparation should have helped performance, but the result did not match that expectation. - Example: 本日はお忙しいにもかかわらず、お越しいただきありがとうございます。
Kana: ほんじつはおいそがしいにもかかわらず、おこしいただきありがとうございます。
Translation: Thank you very much for coming despite your busy schedule.
Being busy would normally reduce the likelihood of attending, and this contrast can therefore be used to express gratitude.
How to Use Japanese “〜とはいえ”｜Acknowledge the First Clause, but Do Not Treat It as the Whole Conclusion
“〜とはいえ” does not directly reject the first clause. It first acknowledges that “A is indeed true,” then reminds the listener that “A does not represent the whole picture.” For example, “春とはいえ、まだ寒い” does not deny that it is spring. What is being corrected is the inference that “if it is spring, it should already be warm.”
“〜とはいえ” is especially useful in writing when you want to avoid overstating a point. The first clause is normally valid, while the second adds an exception, limitation, or unresolved issue.
- Example: 春とはいえ、朝晩はまだかなり寒い。
Kana: はるとはいえ、あさばんはまだかなりさむい。
Translation: Although it is already spring, mornings and evenings are still quite cold.
The fact that it is spring is true, but it does not mean that the entire day is warm. - Example: 経験があるとはいえ、一人ですべて任せるのは難しい。
Kana: けいけんがあるとはいえ、ひとりですべてまかせるのはむずかしい。
Translation: Although the person has experience, it would still be difficult to leave everything to one person.
Having experience is true, but that condition alone is not enough to support the stronger conclusion. - Example: 便利になったとはいえ、すべての問題が解決したわけではない。
Kana: べんりになったとはいえ、すべてのもんだいがかいけつしたわけではない。
Translation: Although things have become more convenient, that does not mean all the problems have been solved.
The second clause limits how far “it became more convenient” can be taken.
How to Use Japanese “〜一方で”｜Put Another Side on the Same Axis of Comparison
The biggest difference between “〜一方で” and the previous four patterns is that it is not necessarily concessive at all. It can present two sides of the same issue or simply compare two people, regions, or trends. Instead of first searching for an unexpected result, look for what the sentence is comparing.
“〜一方で” appears frequently in commentary, news, and explanatory writing. It can describe benefits and costs of the same system, opposing trends in different regions, or different characteristics of two people.
- Example: この仕事は自由度が高い一方で、自己管理も必要だ。
Kana: このしごとはじゆうどがたかいいっぽうで、じこかんりもひつようだ。
Translation: This job offers a high degree of freedom, while at the same time requiring strong self-management.
The two points are different sides of the same working style. - Example: 都市では人口が増えている一方で、地方では人口減少が続いている。
Kana: としではじんこうがふえているいっぽうで、ちほうではじんこうげんしょうがつづいている。
Translation: Urban populations are increasing, while rural populations continue to decline.
The sentence simply places two opposing trends side by side without any sense of surprise. - Example: 兄は慎重に考える一方で、弟はすぐに行動するタイプだ。
Kana: あにはしんちょうにかんがえるいっぽうで、おとうとはすぐにこうどうするタイプだ。
Translation: The older brother thinks carefully before acting, whereas the younger brother tends to act immediately.
The two people are compared along the same behavioral axis.
Comparing “〜ものの,” “〜ながらも,” “〜にもかかわらず,” “〜とはいえ,” and “〜一方で”
What really distinguishes the five patterns is the type of relationship between the clauses. With “〜ものの,” look for a situation that has already happened but still leaves an incomplete or unsatisfactory result. With “〜ながらも,” look for contrasting characteristics within the same person or thing. With “〜にもかかわらず,” look for a clear mismatch between a condition and the result that would normally be predicted from it. With “〜とはいえ,” look for a statement that is accepted and then limited. “〜一方で,” meanwhile, does not require any expectation at all and simply introduces another side of the comparison.
| Pattern | Register | Strength | Main Function | Suitable for Formal Writing | Common Mistake | Correct Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “〜ものの” | Somewhat written | Medium | Result falls short after A occurs | ○ | Treating it like emotionally strong のに | 買ったものの、使っていない |
| “〜ながらも” | Somewhat written | Medium | Contrasting state／feature | ○ | Interpreting every ながら as simultaneous action | 若いながらも落ち着いている |
| “〜にもかかわらず” | Formal | Medium–strong | Clear violation of expectation | ◎ | Using it for simple parallel contrast | 大雨にもかかわらず開催した |
| “〜とはいえ” | Somewhat formal | Medium | Limit the conclusion after acknowledging A | ◎ | Assuming the first clause is denied | 春とはいえ、まだ寒い |
| “〜一方で” | Neutral written | Medium | Parallel contrast／two-sided comparison | ◎ | Translating every use as “although” | 都市で増える一方で、地方で減る |
▌“〜ものの” vs. “〜にもかかわらず”｜Things Did Not Progress Well vs. the Result Violated Expectations
❌ Unhelpful interpretation: treating both as exactly the same “although.”
✅ 日本語を三年勉強したものの、まだ会話には自信がない。
✅ 三年間毎日勉強したにもかかわらず、試験に合格できなかった。
The first sentence focuses on having studied for three years but still not reaching the desired level of confidence. The second emphasizes that studying every day for three years should reasonably have increased the chance of passing, yet the person still failed. The former carries a sense of incompleteness; the latter highlights a direct conflict between expectation and result.
▌“〜ものの” vs. “〜とはいえ”｜Something Is Still Unfinished vs. Limiting What Can Be Concluded
❌ Incorrect approach: freely exchanging them whenever there is contrast.
✅ 引っ越したものの、まだ荷物が片づいていない。
✅ 引っ越したとはいえ、隣の町なので生活はほとんど変わらない。
The first sentence says that the move has been completed, but the follow-up task of unpacking has not. The second acknowledges that the person did move, but limits the inference that “moving means life changed significantly.”
▌“〜とはいえ” vs. “〜一方で”｜Correcting a Conclusion vs. Adding Another Side
❌ Incorrect approach: using “〜とはいえ” whenever two different aspects appear.
✅ 安くなったとはいえ、まだ簡単に買える値段ではない。
✅ この商品は価格が安い一方で、機能はかなり限られている。
“〜とはいえ” limits what can be inferred from the first clause. “〜一方で” simply places price and functionality side by side without requiring any expected result.
When Are Japanese Concessive and Contrastive Patterns Used? Work, Formal Thanks, and Everyday Commentary
Advanced concessive patterns tend to be more written, but that does not mean they never appear in real life. In workplace meetings, you may need to acknowledge progress before pointing out an unresolved issue. Formal speeches often use “〜にもかかわらず” to highlight the contrast between a condition and the actual outcome. Commentary frequently uses “〜一方で” to place positive and negative sides in the same paragraph. In casual conversation, however, simple turns are still more likely to use forms such as “けど” and “のに.” For more on spoken differences, see this complete guide to the Japanese conjunction “けど”.
▌Situation ①｜Work Progress Has Not Gone as Smoothly as Expected
A：新しいシステムはもう導入されたんですよね。
あたらしいシステムはもうどうにゅうされたんですよね。
The new system has already been introduced, right?
B：導入したものの、まだ現場では十分に使いこなせていません。
どうにゅうしたものの、まだげんばではじゅうぶんにつかいこなせていません。
Although it has been introduced, people on site still have not fully learned how to use it.
The introduction itself is complete, but actual operation has not caught up, so “〜ものの” fits the situation better than a simple contrast.
▌Situation ②｜Formally Thanking People for Attending Despite the Weather
A：今日は雨なのに、たくさん人が来ましたね。
きょうはあめなのに、たくさんひとがきましたね。
Even though it’s raining today, a lot of people came.
B：悪天候にもかかわらず、お越しいただきありがとうございます。
あくてんこうにもかかわらず、おこしいただきありがとうございます。
Thank you very much for coming despite the bad weather.
The underlying situation is the same—people came even though it was raining—but everyday conversation can use “〜のに,” while formal thanks are better suited to the more objective and complete “〜にもかかわらず.”
▌Situation ③｜Discussing Two Sides of Remote Work
A：在宅勤務は通勤しなくていいから便利ですね。
ざいたくきんむはつうきんしなくていいからべんりですね。
Working from home is convenient because you do not have to commute.
B：便利な一方で、仕事と休みの切り替えが難しいこともあります。
べんりないっぽうで、しごととやすみのきりかえがむずかしいこともあります。
On the other hand, it can also be difficult to separate work from rest.
There is no built-in expectation that “being convenient should prevent another result.” The sentence simply adds another aspect of remote work, so “〜一方で” is appropriate.
Cultural Notes:
- “〜ものの,” “〜にもかかわらず,” and “〜とはいえ” can sound more formal than “けど” or “のに” in ordinary conversations between friends. Formal does not mean unnatural, but the pattern needs to match the register of the sentence as a whole.
- Japanese writing often acknowledges a fact first and then adds a limitation. When you encounter “〜とはいえ,” the first clause is usually still valid. Do not treat the earlier information as completely rejected just because English uses “but.”
- “〜一方で” is an important structural signal in commentary, news, and reports. When you see it, first identify the two objects or two aspects being compared rather than immediately looking for the speaker’s dissatisfaction.
How Do Japanese Concessive and Contrastive Patterns Compare with Korean “-기는 하지만／-(으)ㅁ에도 불구하고／-는 반면에”?
Korean also distinguishes between “acknowledge and then qualify,” “violate an expected result,” and “contrast two sides.” “-기는 하지만” is close to first acknowledging something and then adding a reservation. “-(으)ㅁ에도 불구하고” has a formal concessive function similar to “〜にもかかわらず.” “-는 반면에,” meanwhile, is close to “〜一方で” in contrasting two aspects.
◆ Similar Grammar: “-기는 하지만”
“-기는 하지만” has the nuance “it is true that…, but…”. It first acknowledges the first clause and then adds a reservation or different evaluation. Depending on context, it can resemble Japanese “〜とはいえ” or some uses of “〜ものの.”
- Example: 편하기는 하지만 아직 익숙하지 않아요.
Romanization: pyeon-ha-gi-neun ha-ji-man a-jik ik-suk-ha-ji a-na-yo.
Translation: It is convenient, but I am still not used to it.
The first clause acknowledges that it is convenient, while the second adds the reservation that the speaker is not yet accustomed to it. - Example: 준비하기는 했지만 생각만큼 잘되지 않았어요.
Romanization: jun-bi-ha-gi-neun haet-ji-man saeng-gak-man-keum jal-doe-ji a-na-sseo-yo.
Translation: I did prepare, but things did not go as well as I expected.
The preparation definitely happened, yet the actual result fell short of expectations, making the nuance similar to Japanese “〜ものの.” - Example: 가격이 싸기는 하지만 품질은 조금 아쉬워요.
Romanization: ga-gyeo-gi ssa-gi-neun ha-ji-man pum-ji-reun jo-geum a-swi-wo-yo.
Translation: The price is low, but the quality is a little disappointing.
The first clause acknowledges the low price, while the second adds a reservation about quality: “it is cheap, yes, but there is still something unsatisfactory.”
◆ Similar Grammar: “-(으)ㅁ에도 불구하고”
“-(으)ㅁ에도 불구하고” means that even though the condition in the first clause exists, the result in the second clause still occurs. Both its formality and function are very close to Japanese “〜にもかかわらず.” It is more formal than ordinary “-지만” and is especially common in written language, news, reports, and formal speech.
- Example: 비가 많이 왔음에도 불구하고 많은 사람이 왔어요.
Romanization: bi-ga ma-ni wat-eum-e-do bul-gu-ha-go ma-neun sa-ram-i wa-sseo-yo.
Translation: Despite the heavy rain, many people still came.
Heavy rain would normally reduce attendance, but many people still showed up, creating a clear expectation mismatch. - Example: 충분히 준비했음에도 불구하고 실수가 있었어요.
Romanization: chung-bun-hi jun-bi-haet-eum-e-do bul-gu-ha-go sil-su-ga i-sseo-sseo-yo.
Translation: Despite preparing thoroughly, there were still mistakes.
Thorough preparation should reduce the chance of mistakes, but the actual result was different, making “-(으)ㅁ에도 불구하고” appropriate. - Example: 오랫동안 연습했음에도 불구하고 긴장해서 제대로 말하지 못했어요.
Romanization: o-raet-dong-an yeon-seup-haet-eum-e-do bul-gu-ha-go gin-jang-hae-seo je-dae-ro mal-ha-ji mot-hae-sseo-yo.
Translation: Despite practicing for a long time, I was too nervous to speak properly.
Long practice should normally improve performance, but nervousness prevented that result, creating a mismatch between prediction and reality.
◆ Similar Grammar: “-는 반면에”
“-는 반면에” compares two people, phenomena, or two aspects of the same thing and does not require any violated expectation. It is therefore closest to Japanese “〜一方で.” The two clauses may describe opposite characteristics or simply different aspects along the same comparison axis.
- Example: 도시는 인구가 늘어나는 반면에 지방은 계속 줄고 있어요.
Romanization: do-si-neun in-gu-ga neu-reo-na-neun ban-myeon-e ji-bang-eun gye-sok jul-go i-sseo-yo.
Translation: Urban populations are increasing, while regional populations continue to decline.
The sentence compares two different demographic trends without implying how things “should” have turned out. - Example: 이 일은 자유로운 반면에 책임도 커요.
Romanization: i i-reun ja-yu-ro-un ban-myeon-e chae-gim-do keo-yo.
Translation: This job offers a lot of freedom, while responsibility is also high.
Freedom and responsibility are two aspects of the same job, and the sentence places them side by side. - Example: 언니는 사람들과 이야기하는 걸 좋아하는 반면에 동생은 혼자 있는 걸 더 좋아해요.
Romanization: eon-ni-neun sa-ram-deul-gwa i-ya-gi-ha-neun geol jo-a-ha-neun ban-myeon-e dong-saeng-eun hon-ja it-neun geol deo jo-a-hae-yo.
Translation: The older sister likes talking with people, whereas the younger sibling prefers being alone.
The sentence compares their personalities and preferences without any sense of a violated expectation.
◆ Core Differences from Japanese Concessive and Contrastive Patterns:
Korean “-지만” itself can cover a very broad range of contrast, while advanced Japanese writing often uses “〜ものの,” “〜とはいえ,” and “〜にもかかわらず” to distinguish different types of contrast more precisely. Depending on the sentence, “-기는 하지만” can resemble Japanese “〜とはいえ” or “〜ものの.” “-(으)ㅁ에도 불구하고” and “〜にもかかわらず” both make the gap between the first condition and the actual result relatively explicit. “-는 반면에,” like “〜一方で,” focuses on comparing two people, phenomena, or different sides of the same thing. When English uses “but,” there is no need to immediately assume that the sentence is concessive. It is more accurate to first check whether the clauses show an expectation mismatch, add a limitation, or simply present contrast.
When translated into English, “〜ものの,” “〜ながら（も）,” “〜にもかかわらず,” “〜とはいえ,” and “〜一方で” can easily collapse into the same “although…but…” structure. But if you keep thinking through English first, you may miss the distinctions built into the Japanese sentence. “〜ものの” often connects an established fact with a disappointing or incomplete follow-up. “〜ながら（も）” often highlights two contrasting characteristics within the same person or state. “〜にもかかわらず” makes the gap between what should logically have happened and what actually happened more explicit. “〜とはいえ” works more like adding a boundary after a statement, reminding the reader that the first clause cannot be extended indefinitely. “〜一方で” is best memorized separately, because it often simply adds another side without any expectation being violated.
When you encounter these Japanese concessive and contrastive patterns in news, commentary, or longer articles, try not to translate them immediately. Instead, look directly at what is happening between the first clause and the second: did the result fall short of expectations, did an expected outcome fail to occur, does the first statement need a limitation, or is the sentence simply shifting to another side of the comparison?
FAQ
“〜ものの” tends to describe a situation where something has already happened but the subsequent result is unsatisfactory or incomplete. “〜とはいえ” acknowledges the first clause and then limits the conclusion that can be drawn from it. “買ったものの、使っていない” focuses on buying something but not using it, while “安いとはいえ、簡単には買えない” acknowledges that something is cheaper but rejects the conclusion that it is therefore easy to buy.
Their meanings overlap in some sentences, but their register and emotional tone differ. “〜のに” is common in everyday conversation and can easily express regret, dissatisfaction, or blame. “〜にもかかわらず” is more formal and is often used to objectively organize a mismatch between a condition and a result.
Because “〜ながら” has multiple functions. “音楽を聞きながら勉強する” describes two actions happening simultaneously, while “若いながらもしっかりしている” is concessive and means that although the person is young, they are reliable. To distinguish them, check whether the clauses describe simultaneous actions or contrasting states.
Not necessarily. “〜一方で” can connect contrasting content, but it can also simply express comparison. “兄は東京で働く一方で、弟は大阪で働いている” merely compares where two people work and contains no sense of violated expectation.
First identify the relationship from clause A to clause B. If A is true but the follow-up remains incomplete or unsatisfactory, look first at “〜ものの.” If A and B are contrasting characteristics of the same person or thing, consider “〜ながらも.” If B clearly violates the prediction created by A, consider “〜にもかかわらず.” If A is true but the conclusion needs to be limited, consider “〜とはいえ.” If the sentence simply introduces another side of the comparison, consider “〜一方で.”