Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 2: 16/17

とは言(い)え

Though, Although (I admit that), Be that as it may, Nonetheless

Structure

Verb + とはいえ + Phrase
［い］Adjective + とはいえ + Phrase
Noun + （だ）+ とはいえ + Phrase
［な］Adjective + （だ）+ とはいえ + Phrase
Phrase (A)。とはいえ + Phrase (B)

Details

  • Register

    Formal

  • 使用域

    硬い

About とはいえ

とは言(い)え is one of the standard grammar patterns in Japanese that makes use of the imperative form in order to strongly state a point. It will often be translated as 'although (A), (B) will not change', or 'be that as it may, (B)'. Literally, it is just making use of the case-marking particle と in addition to the adverbial particle は to present (A) as a quote that the speaker acknowledges, but may not actually accept.
As this structure begins with と, it may be used at the end of any standard statement.
  • この事件(じけん)の犯人(はんにん)が分(わ)かったとはいえ、犯人(はんにん)はまだ捕(つか)まっていないからまだ油断(ゆだん)はできない。
    Although the culprit in this case has been found, we can't let our guard down yet because the culprit has not been caught yet.
  • このパソコンは新(あたら)しいといえ、今(いま)持(も)っているパソコンより性能(せいのう)がいいと言(い)うわけではない。
    Although this computer is new, it does not mean that it has better features than the computer that I already own.
  • この国(くに)は安全(あんぜん)だといえ、日本(にほん)ではないので子供(こども)から目(め)を離(はな)さないようにしてください。
    Although this country is safe, it is not Japan, so please keep an eye on your child.
  • 日本人(にほんじん)とはいえ、スペインで育(そだ)ったから日本語(にほんご)があまり話(はな)せない。
    Although I am Japanese, I grew up in Spain so I can't speak much Japanese.
In most situations, the way that とはいえ will be used is like the English 'say that it is (A), that still doesn't change (B)'. (A) will generally be something that is true, or true as far as the speaker knows.

Examples

  • 犯人(はんにん)は逮捕(たいほ)されたとはいえ有罪(ゆうざい)と宣告(せんこく)されるまで時間(じかん)がかかるだろう。

    Although (I admit that) the criminal has been caught, it will be some time before they are declared guilty.

  • 馬(うま)は肉(にく)を食(た)べることができる。とはいえ、普通(ふつう)は食(た)べない。

    Horses are perfectly capable of eating meat. Having said that, they generally do not eat it.

  • 彼(かれ)は社長(しゃちょう)とはいえ名前(なまえ)ばかりだ。権限(けんげん)は取締役会(とりしまりやくかい)にある。

    Although he is admittedly the company president, it is in name only. It is the board of directors that holds the power.

  • 論文(ろんぶん)：「この場合(ばあい)、「ようだ」と「ごとし」のどちらを使(つか)ってもよいということである。しかしながら、どちらも使(つか)えるとはいえ、実際(じっさい)には意味合(いみあ)いが異(こと)なる。」

    Thesis: 'In this case, one can use both 'ようだ' and 'ごとし.' However, although I say you can use both, their meanings actually have different nuances.'

  • 今(いま)では、パンデミックの進行状況(しんこうじょうきょう)は遅(おそ)いとはいえ、まだ安心(あんしん)するわけにはいかない。

    Although (I admit that) the progress of the pandemic is slow, we cannot afford to feel at ease just yet.

Sign up to access tons more examples!

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Try now, no credit card required!

Try Bunpro

  • Online

  • Offline

    • Try N1

      Page 90

    • Sou Matome Bunpou N1

      Page 50

    • Shin Kanzen Master N1 Bunpou

      Page 36

    • A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar

      Page 664

  • Track Resources!

    Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
    Try now, no credit card required!

    Try Bunpro

とはいえ – Grammar Discussion

There's currently no discussion for とはいえ

Start it to ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!

Start Discussion