JLPT N1 grammar

〜とは言えmeaning and usage

Meaning

Even though A; although it is said that A

How to form it

  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveとはいえ
  • noun/な-adjective (stem)（だ）とはいえ
  • とはいえ、sentence

How it is used

Grants that A is true, then says B, which is not what A would lead one to expect: 'although A'. Leans written but heard in speech; also starts a sentence as a conjunction. Less stiff than 「といえども」, more formal than 「と言っても」.

Examples

  1. 彼女はプロではないとはいえ、その腕は玄人はだしだ。

    Even though she isn't a professional, she's got skills that'll shame a pro.

  2. 夏休みとはいえ、毎日部活があって忙しい。

    It may be the summer holidays, but I've got club activities every day, so I'm busy.

  3. 仕事は大変だ。とはいえ、辞めるつもりはない。

    The work is hard. Even so, I have no intention of quitting.