N1 Contrast and Concession

~といえども: meaning, usage and examples

~といえども means: even... / even if... / although...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 専門家せんもんかといえども、間違まちがうことはある。

   Even experts make mistakes.

2. いかに困難こんなんな道みちといえども、最後さいごまで進すすむ覚悟かくごだ。

   However difficult the path may be, I am prepared to follow it to the end.

3. 大だい企業きぎょうといえども、倒産とうさんの危険きけんがないわけではない。

   Even a large company is not free from the risk of bankruptcy.

4. 休日きゅうじつといえども、病院びょういんの救急きゅうきゅう外来がいらいは休やすまず診療しんりょうしている。

   Even on holidays, the hospital's emergency department stays open.

When to use it

Means "even (someone or something with that status)" or "although it is X." The speaker grants a fact or a high status and then says that what one would expect does not follow. For example, 大だい企業きぎょうといえども、倒産とうさんの危険きけんはある (even a large company faces the risk of bankruptcy). Often after experts, leaders, the strong, or a time or place.

Nuance

Formal and written: editorials, speeches, books. The first half usually names something strong or special, and the second half says "even so, X." Often paired with いかに or たとえ. The second clause is usually a judgment, duty or obligation (〜なければならない, 〜わけではない), not a casual remark.

Compare

Compare とはいえ: 4月しがつとはいえ寒さむい concedes a fact in a softer, more common way. といえども is stiffer and often works like "even X": 子供こどもといえどもルールは守まもるべきだ. Also compare ても, the everyday "even if."

Tip: Read といえども as a formal "even": 専門せんもん家かでも. If the sentence sounds casual, the answer is でも or とはいえ, not といえども.