といえどもEven; although
といえども formally concedes even a notable, extreme, or supposedly privileged case, then states that the usual rule, limitation, or result still applies.
How the concession works
The first part names a case that might reasonably be treated as an exception: an expert, an authority, an emergency, or an unusually favorable condition. The following clause then denies that exception. English translations often use “even,” “even if,” or “although,” but the important nuance is “this case is no exception either.”
Noun and clause patterns
The main clause should clearly show that the first case does not escape the rule or limitation.
専門家といえども、判断を誤ることはある。
Even experts can make errors in judgment.
Analyze専門家 names a category whose status might suggest greater reliability, but the sentence denies complete exemption from error.
長年の実績があるといえども、検証を免れるわけではない。
Although it has a long track record, it is not exempt from scrutiny.
AnalyzeHere a complete plain verb clause precedes the target.
A less literary alternative
とはいえ more neutrally acknowledges a fact and then qualifies it. といえども is more literary and more strongly suggests that even an extreme or privileged case cannot be treated as an exception.
More examples
たとえ国家元首といえども、法の上に立つことは許されない。
Even a head of state cannot be permitted to stand above the law.
Analyzeいかに優れた制度といえども、運用を誤れば十分に機能しない。
No matter how excellent a system may be, it will not function properly if it is administered badly.
Analyze少数意見といえども、審議から排除してはならない。
Even a minority opinion must not be excluded from deliberation.
Analyze緊急時であるといえども、必要な記録を残す手続きを省いてはならない。
Even in an emergency, the procedure for keeping the necessary records must not be omitted.
Analyze技術が急速に進歩したといえども、すべての問題が解決したわけではない。
Although technology has advanced rapidly, that does not mean every problem has been solved.
Analyzeいかに目的が正当だといえども、不当な手段まで認められるものではない。
However legitimate the objective may be, that does not justify improper means.
Analyze