JLPT N3 grammar

〜と言ってもmeaning and usage

Meaning

Although A is the case, B

This point is also listed at N2.

How to form it

  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveと言っても
  • noun/な-adjective (stem)（だ）と言っても

How it is used

Grants the first statement, then says the reality is less than it sounds: 'I say A, but actually just...'. The second half often has 「だけ」 or 「ちょっと」. It corrects what the listener might imagine.

Examples

  1. 旅行といっても隣の町に行った程度です。

    Although I call it a trip, I only went to the neighboring town.

  2. 料理ができると言っても、カレーくらいしか作れません。

    I say I can cook, but curry is about the only thing I can make.

  3. 休みと言っても、一日だけだ。

    It's a day off, sure, but just the one day.