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Even though
Definition
The grammar pattern "Noun / Plain form + といえども" is a highly formal expression used to indicate that even a person or entity in a high position or a certain situation is not an exception. It is often used to contrast or compare two situations, emphasizing that the exception is not limited to a specific group or individual. This pattern is similar to "de atte mo" and is commonly used in formal writing or speech.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun/Plain form | Noun/Plain form + といえども | 親といえども |
| Noun/Plain form | Noun/Plain form + はといえども | 子供はといえども |
| Noun/Plain form | Noun/Plain form + といえどもも | 百戦錬磨の勇者といえどもも |
Examples
親といえども、子供のプライバシーを勝手に侵害することは許されない。
oyaji toi e do mo, kodomo no puraibashiti o kateni shin'ga suru koto wa yurusarenai.
Even parents, they cannot invade children's privacy arbitrarily.
親 (oyaji) = parent, といえども (toi e do mo) = even though, children's (kodomo no) = children's, プライバシー (puraibashiti) = privacy, 勝手に (kateni) = arbitrarily, 侵害する (shin'ga suru) = invade, 許されない (yurusarenai) = cannot
未成年といえども、犯した罪の責任は重く受け止めなければならない。
mikaen toi e do mo, hasshita tsumi no sekinin wa omosiroku ukete misebakenakereba naranai.
Even minors, they must accept the responsibility of the crime they committed seriously.
未成年 (mikaen) = minor, といえども (toi e do mo) = even though, 犯した罪 (hasshita tsumi) = committed crime, の責任 (no sekinin) = responsibility, は (wa) = is, 重く (omosiroku) = seriously, 受け止めなければ (ukete misebakenakereba) = must accept, ならない (naranai) = cannot
百戦錬磨の勇者といえども、時には失敗することもあるだろう。
hyakusen renma no yūsha toi e do mo, tokini shippai suru koto mo aru darō.
Even a hundred times battle-hardened hero, they may fail sometimes.
百戦錬磨 (hyakusen renma) = hundred times battle-hardened, の (no) = of, 勇者 (yūsha) = hero, といえども (toi e do mo) = even though, 時には (tokini) = sometimes, 失敗する (shippai suru) = fail, ことも (koto mo) = also, ある (aru) = exist, だろう (darō) = will be
Context
This pattern is used in formal writing or speech to contrast or compare two situations, emphasizing that the exception is not limited to a specific group or individual. It is often used to express a general truth or a universal principle.
Watch out
This pattern is too formal for casual speech and may sound unnatural or awkward.
While all three patterns are used to contrast or compare, they have different nuances and connotations.
This pattern is more formal and emphasizes the exception, whereas 'but' is a more casual expression.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the nuance of the pattern. Use more formal expressions or patterns when necessary. Be aware of the connotations and implications of each pattern.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows Noun / Plain form + といえども used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
親といえども、子供のプライバシーを勝手に侵害することは許されない。
Pattern used: といえども
Emphasizes that even as a parent, there are boundaries.
未成年といえども、犯した罪の責任は重く受け止めなければならない。
Pattern used: といえども
'To iedo mo' is the formal choice for high-level social or legal discussions.
百戦錬磨の勇者といえども、時には失敗することもあるだろう。
Pattern used: といえども
Uses a literary style to show that even experts are fallible.
Interactive
親______、子供のプライバシーを勝手に侵害することは許されない。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.