The Meaning of shikamo [而も] In Japanese

而も
しかも
Romaji: shikamo Not applicable (archaic)

What does 而も mean?

Translation and Meaning

but, however, moreover

Definition

A classical Japanese conjunction meaning ‘but’, ‘however’, or ‘moreover’, used in literary or archaic prose to link clauses with a contrasting or additive sense.

Type

conjunction (古文接続助詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • contrastive conjunction meaning ‘but’ or ‘nevertheless’ in classical Japanese
  • emphatic addition, similar to ‘moreover’ in literary contexts
  • typical of 文語 (classical Japanese) and historical texts

Etymology

From the classical conjunction 而 combined with the particle も; the phonetic reading evolved into the modern literary form read as shikamo (しかも).

Origin

Used since the Heian period in classical Japanese; attested in waka, monogatari, and Buddhist/philosophical texts; today it is chiefly encountered in literary, historical, and scholarly contexts rather than everyday speech.

Composition

  • 而: classical conjunction signaling contrast or transition
  • も: particle indicating addition or emphasis

Usage

  • primarily in formal, written contexts rather than spoken casual Japanese
  • appears in classical narratives to introduce a contrasting or additive point
  • frequently found in kanbun passages and literary quotation
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: two clauses are bridged by 而, while も adds the sense of ‘also’ or ‘even’—remember it as ‘bridge and more’ to cue ‘and yet/moreover’ in old texts.

Variations

  • しかも (shikamo) — modern equivalent
  • 且つ (katsu) — formal conjunctive
  • それでも (soredemo) — nevertheless, broader nuance

Example Phrases

  • 今日は雨が降っている、而も私は出かける。
    Kyou wa ame ga futte iru, shikamo watashi wa dekakeru.
    It’s raining today, and yet I’m going out.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (kyou wa) – direct translation in en
    • 雨が (ame ga) – direct translation in en
    • 降っている、 (futte iru,) – direct translation in en
    • 而も (shikamo) – direct translation in en
    • 私は (watashi wa) – direct translation in en
    • 出かける。 (dekakeru.) – direct translation in en
    Conjunção de estilo clássico 「而も」 que liga a oração anterior a uma informação de contraste/adição (equivalente a ‘しかも / moreover’).
而も