といえども
Even (if), Although, Even though
Structure
Noun + といえども
［な］Adjective + (だ) + といえども
［い］Adjective + といえども
Explanation
といえども is constructed from the particle と, the potential form of the verb 言う (to say), which is 言え, and the classical conjunctive particle ども. This final particle, ども, functions similarly to modern expressions like けれども or ても. Consequently, while a direct translation might be 'even if one says (A)', it is more naturally rendered as 'even if (A)', 'although (A)', or 'be that as it may'.
といえども is used after nouns, い-adjectives, and verbs, all in their standard form (plain form).
- プロであるといえども、ミスをすることはある。Even if you're a professional, you still make mistakes sometimes.
- いくら練習したといえども、本番では緊張するものだ。No matter how much you've practiced, it's natural to get nervous during the actual performance.
- どんなに忙しいといえども、家族との時間は大切にすべきだ。However busy you may be, you should always make time for your family.
- 子供といえども、悪いことをしたら謝るべきだ。Even though they're children, they should apologize if they do something wrong.
When といえども follows a な-adjective, it must be preceded by the declarative だ.
- この問題は簡単だといえども、油断してはいけない。Even if this problem is simple, you shouldn't let your guard down.
- 日本は安全だといえども、夜中の一人歩きは危険だ。Although Japan is safe, walking alone late at night is risky.
While the nuance has subtle differences, といえども can be seen as a more formal and archaic version of といっても. Because of its classical feel, といえども carries a sense of emphasis and is commonly seen with adverbs like いくら, どんなに, or いかに.
Fun Fact
Though quite uncommon in modern Japanese, いえども may be written with the kanji 雖も. In this form, the kanji 雖, meaning 'however', is combined directly with も. This creates a slight distinction between the classical 'however, even (A)' and the modern 'even if one says (A)'. In contemporary usage, however, their meanings are treated as being interchangeable.
Examples
医者と雖も、自分の病気を治すのは難しい。
Even a doctor finds it difficult to cure their own illness.
専門家と雖も、未来を完璧に予測することは不可能だ。
Even for an expert, it is impossible to perfectly predict the future.
僅かな時間と雖も、無駄にはできない。
I can't waste time, even if it's just a little bit.
たとえ親友と雖も、お金を貸すのはためらわれる。
Even to my best friend, I'd hesitate to lend money.
仕事のためと雖も、家族との時間を犠牲にはできない。
Even if it's for work, I can't sacrifice time with my family.
安全な国と雖も、夜中の一人歩きは危険だ。
Even in a safe country, walking alone late at night is dangerous.
いくら金持ちだと雖も、幸せが買えるとは限らない。
No matter how rich someone is, it doesn't guarantee they can buy happiness.
最新の技術と雖も、欠点がないわけではない。
Although it's the latest technology, that doesn't mean it's without its flaws.
あれだけ練習したと雖も、本番では緊張してしまう。
Even though I practiced that much, I still get nervous during the actual performance.
急いでいると雖も、交通ルールは守るべきだ。
Even if you are in a hurry, you should still obey traffic rules.
小さな約束と雖も、守らなければ信頼を失う。
Even if it's just a small promise, you'll lose someone's trust if you don't keep it.
社長の命令といえども、違法なことには従えない。
Even if it's an order from the company president, I cannot obey an illegal command.