GRAMMAR DETAIL
といえども
Acknowledges a status or degree of experience while indicating that it does not make someone an exception to the following principle.
Examples
経験豊かな職人といえども、判断を誤ることはある。
Even an experienced craftsperson can make an error in judgment.
Words used
子どもといえども、自分の考えを持っている。
Even children have ideas of their own.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
といえどもto a noun or similar expression to acknowledge a status or attribute while denying that it creates an exception to the following judgment. - Basic usage:
経験豊かな職人といえども、判断を誤ることはある。states that even an experienced craftsperson can make an error of judgment.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Direct connection to a noun
- Attach it directly, as in
職人といえどもor子どもといえども. The following judgment can also apply to someone with little experience, such as a child, so the expression is not limited to high status.
- Attach it directly, as in
- Difference from といっても
職人といえども間違うconcedes that craftspeople are not exempt from making mistakes.職人といってもまだ見習いだqualifies the level one might expect from the label craftsperson.