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Formation: N + といえども; plain form + といえども; often たとえ／いかに〜といえども

A concession: even granting X, which might lead one to expect something different, the main clause still holds. It typically takes a noun of status or quantity, e.g. 子供といえども ("even a child") or 一円といえども ("even a single yen"), and the main clause is often an obligation, a prohibition or a negative. It is formal and written, typical of editorials, speeches and legal or moral statements. 〜とはいえ is similar, but it is mainly used to qualify a fact that has already been stated ("that said"). 〜といっても is more conversational and corrects an exaggerated impression.

Variants: たとえ〜といえども、いかに〜といえども

Examples

• 子供といえども、法律は守らなければならない。
  Even a child must obey the law.
• 専門家といえども、すべてを予測できるわけではない。
  Even experts cannot predict everything.
• 一円といえども、税金を無駄にしてはならない。
  Not even a single yen of tax money should be wasted.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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