Structure
Verb + と言っても
[い]Adjective + と言っても
[な]Adjective + (だ) + と言っても
Noun + (だ) + と言っても
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
About ~と言っても
As a construction that combines と言う (presenting the previous statement as a quotation) and ても, meaning 'even if (A)', or 'even though (A)', と言っても will mean 'even if I say (A)', or 'although I say (A)'. This expression is used when the speaker wants to highlight (A), but draw the listener's attention to (B), in order to clarify something.
This expression may be used after any word in almost any tense, due to the case marking particle と is being used in its quotation role. However, な-Adjectives and nouns will sometimes be followed by だ (although it is regularly omitted).
This expression may be used after any word in almost any tense, due to the case marking particle と is being used in its quotation role. However, な-Adjectives and nouns will sometimes be followed by だ (although it is regularly omitted).
- 毎日走ると言っても、15分しか走らないよ。Although I say I run every day, I only run for 15 minutes.
- 辛いと言ってもピリ辛だから、あなたでも食べれると思うよ。Even though I say it is spicy, it is only slightly spicy, so I think you should be able to eat it.
- この肉は新鮮だと言っても、3日前に買ったからそんなに新鮮ではない。Although I say this meat is fresh, I bought it 3 days ago, so it is not that fresh.
- 新幹線だと言ってもこだまに乗るから、そんなに早く着かないと思う。Although I say I'm going by shinkansen, I will be riding the Kodama, so I don't think I will get there that fast.
Fun Fact
言う is a う - Verb that focuses on what can be said about something, rather than specifically what one person is saying. Due to this, if no speaker is identified with が, then と言っても could mean 'although some might say (A)', or 'even though it is said that (A)'.- 危険と言ってもおかしくない。Although some might say that it is dangerous, it's not that strange. (It is safe to say that it is dangerous)
- 難しいと言っても、実際にやってみると意外と簡単です。Even though it is said that it is difficult, once you actually try it, it is quite easy.
Examples
魚釣りが趣味と言っても、実は得意ではない。
Although I say that my hobby is fishing, to be honest, I am not good at it.
プレゼントと言っても、たいしたものはない。
Although I say that it is a present, it is nothing special.
泳ぐのが好きだと言っても、平泳ぎしかできないんだけどね。
Although I might say that I like swimming, I can't do anything but the breaststroke.
僕の鞄は重いと言っても、君のはもっと重い。
Although I say that my bag is heavy, yours is heavier.
この問題は簡単だと言っても、解くのに時間はかかる。
Although I might say that this problem is easy, it will still take time to solve.
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といっても
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といっても
Coto Academy [Youtube]
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Tobira
Page 219
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 171
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~と言っても – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (7 in total)
mrnoone
@Cawotte
Hey and thank you!
We are aware of the issue and will do something with it soonCheers!
febLey
Hey,
I just realized that this grammar point is missing from the Tobira path, although it lists Tobira page 219 under ressources. It should be right before the last item (思うように) in Chapter 9.
Pablunpro
おはようございます
I was studying this lesson (N3 lesson 3: 13/22 nowadays), and found that ‘何と言っても’ is a set expression with its own meaning: after all is said and done; no matter what people say; in the end.
Could it be included as a Fun Fact at the end of the lesson, as it seems a quite useful expression?
Thank you so much for your consideration.
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