GRAMMAR
〜といえども
even if
Explanation
NOTE
〜といえども means even or even if — it admits a fact, then says the expected result does not follow.
専門家といえども間違えることがある。
Even an expert sometimes makes mistakes.
NOTE
It is formal and literary. It is much like 〜でも but sounds stronger and more emphatic.
子供といえども、ルールは守るべきだ。
Even if it is a child, the rules should be followed.
The second clause states something contrary to what the first noun might suggest.
NOTE
Attach といえども directly to a noun. No particle comes between the noun and といえども.
STRUCTURE
N辞
といえども社長といえども法律を破れない。
Shachou to iedomo houritsu o yaburenai.
Even the company president cannot break the law.
休日といえども仕事を忘れられない。
Kyuujitsu to iedomo shigoto o wasurerarenai.
Even on a day off, I cannot forget about work.
少額といえども無駄遣いはしない。
Shougaku to iedomo mudazukai wa shinai.
Even if it is a small amount, I do not waste it.
子供といえども、自分の意見を持っています。
Kodomo toiedomo, jibun no iken o motte imasu.
Even though they are children, they have their own opinions.
休日といえども、早く起きなければなりません。
Kyūjitsu toiedomo, hayaku okinakereba narimasen.
Even if it is a holiday, I must wake up early.
専門家といえども、間違えることはあります。
Senmonka toiedomo, machigaeru koto wa arimasu.
Even an expert can make mistakes.
Practice exercises
1
専門家といえども、失敗することがある。
Even an expert sometimes fails.
Answer
といえども
2
社長といえども、ルールには従う。
Even the president follows the rules.
Answer
といえども
3
休日といえども、早く起きる。
Even if it is a day off, I get up early.
Answer
といえども
4
天才としたところで、凡人といえども、努力なしでは成長できない。
Even for a genius, and even more so for an ordinary person, one cannot grow without effort.
Answer
といえども
5
彼が相手となると、強者といえども、簡単には勝てない。
When he is the opponent, even a strong person cannot win easily.
Answer
といえども
6
経験者であれ、未経験者といえども、初歩から学ぶべきだ。
Be it an experienced person, even an inexperienced person should learn from the basics.
Answer
といえども
7
長年の経験者といえども、時には判断を誤ることがある。
Even a person with many years of experience sometimes makes a wrong judgment.
Answer
といえども
8
絶対の真実といえども、異論が出ることは珍しくない。
Even when it is an absolute truth, it is not uncommon for dissenting opinions to arise.
Answer
といえども