JLPT N1Mostly writtenCareful speech

とはいえthat said; though

You grant a fact, then limit what follows from it: "true, but". It also opens a sentence: "that said". Written, and fine in careful speech.

inside a sentence

春はるとはいえ、山さん頂ちょうではまだ雪ゆきが降ふることがある。

It may be spring, but it can still snow at the summit.

opening a sentence

この制せい度どは一いっ定ていの成せい果かを上あげている。とはいえ、改かい善ぜんすべき点てんはまだ多おおい。

This system has had some success. That said, there is still a lot to improve.

How to form it

Noun／plain form + とはいえ

A noun or a な-adjective goes straight on, or with だ: 春はるとはいえ, 豊ほう富ふだとはいえ. On its own, とはいえ、 opens a sentence.

After it: A limit on what the fact would lead you to expect: まだ, わけではない, とは限かぎらない.
Where you'll meet it: Essays, news and reports; talks and careful conversation.
In everyday talk: けど, or といっても; to open a sentence, そうはいっても.

In use

計けい画かくは順じゅん調ちょうに進すすんでいるとはいえ、予よ算さんにはほとんど余よ裕ゆうがない。

The plan is going smoothly, but there is almost no room left in the budget.

知しらなかったとはいえ、大たい変へん失しつ礼れいいたしました。

I didn't know, but even so, I am very sorry for my rudeness.

A set apology for giving offense without meaning to.

仕し事ごととはいえ、毎まい晩ばん遅おそくまで大たい変へんですね。

I know it's your job, but working late every night must be hard.

Said aloud, in sympathy.

いくら親したしいとはいえ、言いっていいことと悪わるいことがある。

However close we are, there are things you can say and things you can't.

Often with いくら in front.

とはいえ or といえども?

専せん門もん家かとはいえ、判はん断だんを誤あやまることはある。

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.

専せん門もん家かといえども、判はん断だんを誤あやまることはある。

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.

春はるになった。とはいうものの、朝あさ晩ばんはまだかなり冷ひえ込こむ。

Spring has come. That said, mornings and evenings are still quite cold.

といえどもN1

Follows an extreme or privileged case and says the rule holds even there: "even a child", "even the president". Stiff and written. It doesn't open a sentence.

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 a child has to follow the rules.

といってもN2

The everyday one. Mostly it cuts a word down to size: a trip, but only one night.

旅りょ行こうといっても、隣となりの町まちで一いっ泊ぱくしただけだ。

I call it a trip, but I only spent one night in the next town.

Check yourself

1Which ending fits?

安やすくなったとはいえ、（　　）。

Choose an answer to see why.

2Which one fits?

給きゅう料りょうは上あがった。（　　）、物ぶっ価かも上あがっているので、生せい活かつは楽らくにならない。

Choose an answer to see why.

More sentences

経けい験けんが豊ほう富ふだとはいえ、すべてを一人ひとりで判はん断だんするのは危き険けんだ。

You may have plenty of experience, but deciding everything on your own is risky.

小しょう規き模ぼな調ちょう査さとはいえ、準じゅん備びには数すうか月げつを要ようした。

It was only a small survey, but it took several months to prepare.

この薬くすりは副ふく作さ用ようが少すくない。とはいえ、医い師しの指し示じなしに服ふく用ようしてよいわけではない。

This medicine has few side effects. That said, it should not be taken without a doctor's instructions.

費ひ用ようは下さがったとはいえ、小しょう規き模ぼな団だん体たいにはまだ大おおきな負ふ担たんだ。

The cost has come down, but it is still a heavy burden for a small organization.

Compared with similar forms

Ways to say "although" beyond のに and けど