といえどもeven; though it be
It follows an extreme or privileged case and says the rule holds even there: "even a child", "even the president". Stiff and written: you will read it far more often than you say it.
Even a child has to follow the rules.
with たとえ
Even a head of state cannot be permitted to stand above the law.
How to form it
Noun／plain form + といえども
A noun goes straight on: 子どもといえども. Often with たとえ, いかに or いかなる in front. It doesn't open a sentence.
- Before it
- The case you'd expect to be let off, or to be above the rule: a child, a beginner, an emergency; an expert, a president.
- After it
- What holds all the same: なければならない, てはならない, 許されない, わけではない.
- Where you'll meet it
- Editorials, essays, speeches, rules. In conversation it sounds like a speech.
- In everyday talk
- でも: 子どもでも, いくら専門家でも.
In use
However good a system is, it will not work properly if it is badly run.
No country, however powerful, can solve this problem alone.
Even a minority opinion must not be shut out of the debate.
A long track record does not put it beyond scrutiny.
After a clause.
といえども or とはいえ?
They may be an expert, but they can still get it wrong.
Grants a fact, that this is an expert, and limits what follows from it: an expert, but not always right.
Even an expert can get it wrong.
States a rule, that anyone can be wrong, and says it holds even for experts. Stiffer, and more sweeping.
Close neighbours
とはいえN1
Grants a fact and limits what follows from it: "true, but". It also opens a sentence: "that said". Written, and fine in careful speech.
It may be spring, but it can still snow at the summit.
とはいうもののN1
The same move as とはいえ, longer and more hesitant. It mostly opens a sentence or follows a clause.
Spring has come. That said, mornings and evenings are still quite cold.
ても・でもN4
What people say. After a noun, でも is the everyday "even".
Even a beginner can take part in this course.
Check yourself
1Which ending fits?
社長と
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
大会は
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
After the smallest amount, with a negative, it is "not even one".
Not even one yen can be wasted.
In older or very formal writing you may see it in kanji: と雖も.
More sentences
Even a distinguished researcher must say where the material comes from.
Even an urgent case cannot be handled without leaving a record.
However legitimate the aim, that does not make improper means acceptable.