と言っても | Grammar

Structure

[verb (plain)] + と言っても [i-adj] + と言っても [na-adj] + (だ)と言っても [noun] + (だ)と言っても

Description

と言っても takes back part of what a statement suggests: "I say X, but", "X, though not as much as you'd think". It follows a plain-form clause, and a noun or な-adjective can drop だ before it. The second half says how modest the reality is.

、。

I can speak Japanese, but only simple conversation.

、。

I do cook, but I can only make things like rolled omelette.

、。

I did live in Japan, but only for six months.

The statement can also be someone else's, or what a word would make you expect.

、。

It may be summer, but Hokkaido isn't that hot.

、。

It's the countryside, but there is a station and a supermarket.

と言っても or ても

is "even if": whatever the condition, the result holds. と言っても is about a statement that has been made and narrows what it means. The second half of a と言っても sentence is a correction, not a result.

、。

I'll go even if it rains.

、。

It's raining, but only a drizzle.

In casual speech と言っても becomes といったって or っていって言っても. とはいっても adds は and is slightly more emphatic.

Examples

、。

Even though I say I can speak English, it's only enough for travel.

、。

Although I say it's spacious, there are just two six-tatami rooms.

、。

Even though I say I exercise, I only take a walk once a week.

、。

Even though they say it's close, it takes at least thirty minutes on foot.

、。

Although he's said to be a doctor, he's still in training.

、。

Even though I say I'm on a diet, I can't give up sweets.

、。

Although it's a day off, there's a lot to do.

、。

Even though I say it's cheap, it still costs five thousand yen.

、。

Even though I say I lived in Japan, it was only half a year.

、。

Although it's called the countryside, there are stations and supermarkets.

、。

Even though it's winter, it doesn't snow around here.

、。

Although I say I came by bike, my house is right over there.

References

と言ってもBunpro