JLPT N3. Slightly informal. Used mainly in conversation.

We have already covered the grammar for this phrase and the usage can be understood with a direct translation because we have similar expressions in English. The phrase is used to caveat a fact that you state in the prior clause.

彼が社長だといっても会社には社員が三人しかいません。
I say he’s a CEO, but the company only has three employees.

日本語ができるといってもまだ漢字を読んだり書いたりすることができない。
I say he can speak Japanese, but he cannot yet read or write kanji.

Note that in most cases we can form the same expression just by using “but” as a conjunction; but といっても has nuance that you are qualifying the prior statement rather than contradicting it.

You May Also Like

Decisions: ことにする

JLPT N4. Used in both writing and conversation. We use the below structure to show that we have…

Too Much: すぎる

To say something is “too much” or “too small” or that we drank “too much” and so forth,…

ばかり vs だらけ

So what’s the difference? Both phrases have a negative connotation and both can be used to say there…

Despite: のに

JLPT N4. Core grammar used in both writing and conversation. The particle のに is used to express “despite”.…