～とは言え
Meaning
A conjunctive expression meaning 'having said that,' 'although,' or 'that said.' It acknowledges a preceding fact or statement before introducing a contrasting viewpoint or qualification.
とは言え functions as a concessive bridge between two clauses, where the first states a fact or common understanding and the second introduces a qualification or unexpected contrast. It is less formal than といえども but more polished than けど. It can appear mid-sentence connecting two clauses, or at the beginning of a sentence to qualify something previously stated. The expression is widely used in both written and spoken Japanese, especially in discussions, essays, and news commentary. While similar to そうはいっても, とは言え is more concise and can directly follow nouns and plain forms without additional particles. Learners should note that nouns connect directly to とは言え without the copula だ.
Examples
- 春とは言えまだ朝晩は冷え込む日が続いている。 Even though it's spring, the mornings and evenings continue to be chilly.
- 合格したとは言え、ぎりぎりの点数だったので安心できない。 Although I passed, my score was borderline, so I can't relax.
- 冗談とは言え、人を傷つけるような発言は控えるべきだ。 Even if it was a joke, one should refrain from remarks that hurt others.
Usage Guide
Context: spoken, written, commentary
Tone: qualifying
Do Say
- 慣れたとは言え、毎回の発表は緊張する。
- 子供とは言え、善悪の区別はつけるべきだ。
- 安いとは言え、品質が悪ければ意味がない。
- 趣味とは言え、ここまで極めると立派な技術だ。
Don't Say
- 春のとは言えまだ寒い。(Inserting の between noun and とは言え — nouns connect directly to とは言え without の) → 春とは言えまだ寒い。
- 春だとは言え、まだ寒い。(Inserting だ between noun and とは言え — nouns connect directly without the copula) → 春とは言え、まだ寒い。
Origin & History
Composed of the quotative と, the topic marker は, and the conditional/realis form of 言う (言え). Literally 'even if one says that,' it evolved into a fixed conjunctive phrase for introducing contrasts to acknowledged facts.
Cultural Context
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Related Phrases
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation and spaced repetition