とはいうものの

と

は

い

う

も

の

Common word

Meanings

expression

having said that; be that as it may; nevertheless

usually written using kana alone

Concessive conjunction used to acknowledge a preceding statement while introducing a contrasting or qualifying point. Often used in both spoken and written Japanese.

彼かれはとても忙いそがしい。とは言いうものの、週しゅう末まつには必かならず家か族ぞくと過すごしている。
He is very busy. Having said that, he always spends weekends with his family.
この計けい画かくは理り想そう的てきだ。とはいうものの、実じっ行こうするのは難むずかしいだろう。
This plan is ideal. Be that as it may, it will be difficult to carry out.

Grammar

とはいうもののthat is true, butN1

Kanji

言say, word

Related words

とはいえ
とはいえ and とは言うものの both mean 'having said that,' but とは言うものの is slightly more formal and emphatic in acknowledging the prior statement.
しかしN4
しかし is a plain, general-purpose 'but,' while とは言うものの explicitly restates and concedes the preceding point before contrasting it.
けれどN4
けれども is a softer, more casual connector for 'but,' whereas とは言うものの carries a stronger sense of conceding a prior statement before qualifying it.
だがN3
だが is a blunt, somewhat literary 'but,' while とは言うものの is more measured and explicitly frames the contrast as a concession.
といってもN2
とはいうものの is a slightly literary way to concede a point before contrasting it, whereas と言っても is more casual and conversational.

Etymology

Phrase composed of と (quotative particle), は (topic particle), 言う (to say), and ものの (concessive conjunction meaning 'although'). Literally 'although one says that...'.