JLPT N1 grammar

〜といえどもmeaning and usage

Meaning

Even if A; even though A

How to form it

  • nounといえども
  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveといえども
  • いかに/たとえnounといえども

How it is used

Written: 'even A', where A is someone or something one might expect to be an exception; B is usually a rule, a fact or 'must not'. It can also concede a whole clause. More formal and stiffer than 「とはいえ」.

Examples

  1. 素人といえども侮ってはいけない。

    Although they may be an amateur, you mustn't look down on them.

  2. 休日といえども、彼は朝六時には起きている。

    Even on his days off, he's up by six in the morning.

  3. いかに経験豊かな登山家といえども、冬の山は危険だ。

    However experienced a climber may be, mountains in winter are dangerous.