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〜といえども

even though, even (someone who is)

Noun / Plain form + といえども

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といえども means "even though it's X, even X": 子どもといえども、ルールは守らなければならない, "even children have to follow the rules".

The first half names someone or something you'd expect to be an exception: a child, an expert, a joke, a single yen, a holiday. The second half says the general rule still applies, often with なければならない, ことはある or できない.

It's a formal, written relative of とはいえ (N2) and でも. It's common in speeches, essays and rules. With a minimal amount, it means "not even": 一円といえども無駄にはできない, "we can't waste even a single yen".

Don't confuse it with といえば (N3), "speaking of".

Examples

  • 子こどもといえども、ルールは守まもらなければならない。

    Even children have to follow the rules.

  • 冗談じょうだんといえども、言いっていいことと悪わるいことがある。

    Even as a joke, there are things you shouldn't say.

  • 一円いちえんといえども、無駄むだにはできない。

    We can't waste even a single yen.

  • 専門家せんもんかといえども、間違まちがえることはある。

    Even experts make mistakes.

  • 休日きゅうじつといえども、彼かれは仕事しごとのことばかり考かんがえている。

    Even on his days off, he thinks about nothing but work.

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