といっても

JLPT N3approx.Neutral
Meaning
  1. 1Even though it is X, the actual situation differs from what X would lead one to expect.Ex. 1
  2. 2Although X is true, it is only true to a small or limited extent.Ex. 2
Formation
Noun+(だ)といっても
Verb (plain form)+といっても
i-adj. (plain form)+といっても
na-adj. stem+(だ)といっても

Connective: といっても、… at the start of a sentence to qualify the previous statement(春といっても / 話せるといっても)

Examples
It may be spring, but mornings and evenings are still chilly, so be careful.
I can speak Japanese, but only everyday conversation.
Usage

Used in both conversation and writing to downplay or correct what a word or statement might imply. The second clause often contains limiting expressions such as まだ, だけ, or それほど…ない. Compared with とはいえ and とはいうものの, it sounds more everyday and less formal.

Watch out

Do not use といっても for a simple contrast; the second clause should correct or limit what X itself implies.

Learners sometimes use といっても where にしては fits; にしては judges a result against a standard, not the scope of X.

Note that the second clause usually lowers expectations, often with だけ, まだ, or それほど…ない.

Easily confused with
  • とはいえN1「とはいえ」 is formal and mostly seen in writing, news, and formal speeches; its follow-up clause points out that no obvious conclusion can be drawn from the first clause, often carrying a judgment or reminder. When correcting a degree, the two are often interchangeable, but 「といっても」 sounds more natural in daily conversation.
  • とはいうもののN1「とはいうものの」 is written-style, common in speeches and commentary, and its second clause emphasizes an outcome contrary to expectations; it can also limit a degree, just more formally. At the start of a sentence meaning 'that said,' the two are similar but differ in register.
  • もののN2「ものの」 is written-style and introduces a result that falls short of expectations, often with a sense of regret, whereas the second clause of 「といっても」 corrects the degree or content of the first clause. A noun before 「ものの」 requires 「である」. The two are generally not interchangeable.
  • にしてはN3「にしては」 measures the second clause against the standard of the first, pointing out that reality doesn't match expectations, in either positive or negative ways; 「といっても」 acknowledges X and then corrects or downplays the impression. 「にしては」 has no sentence-initial use and doesn't take 「だ」 after a noun, so the two are generally not interchangeable.
  • わりにN3「わりに」 uses the first clause as the standard of evaluation and points out that the result is better or worse than expected, as in a cheap dish that tastes good; 「といっても」 corrects the impression given by the first clause itself, with the second clause usually a qualification that lowers expectations. The two are generally not interchangeable.

とはいえ and とはいうものの carry a similar concessive meaning but are more formal and written, and ものの is a general "although" without the nuance of correcting what a word implies. にしては and わりに mean "for X / considering X" and comment on a result that deviates from what X would lead one to expect, rather than downplaying X itself.

Grammar · JLPT grammar levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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