〜といえども
Even granting that 〜といえども
Meaning
"Even though ~", "even ~ (of all people)" — a very formal concession.
Formation
[noun] / [plain form] + といえども
Notes
Literary and oratorical. It picks the strongest possible case and shows even that does not change the outcome, so it usually leads to a negative or a universal rule.
Examples
専門家（せんもんか）といえども、間違（まちが）えることがあります。
Even experts make mistakes sometimes.
Breakdown
子供（こども）といえども、約束（やくそく）は守（まも）るべきです。
Even a child ought to keep a promise.
Breakdown
一瞬（いっしゅん）といえども、油断（ゆだん）はできません。
We cannot let our guard down even for an instant.
Breakdown
どんなに困難（こんなん）といえども、諦（あきら）めません。
However difficult it may be, I will not give up.
Breakdown
社長（しゃちょう）といえども、規則（きそく）には従（したが）わなければなりません。
Even the president must follow the rules.
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜が、〜
But 〜が
Connects two clauses with contrast — "but / however". More formal/written than けど.
〜けど、〜
But 〜けど (colloquial)
Connects two clauses with contrast — "but / however". The everyday spoken equivalent of が...
〜のに
Although 〜のに
Contrast with feeling — "although ~", "even though ~". Carries surprise, disappointment or...
〜くせに
Even though (reproach) 〜くせに
"Even though ~", "and yet ~" — with contempt, blame or resentment.
〜ながらも
Although (formal) 〜ながらも
"Although ~", "while ~" — a written contrast between two facts held at once.
〜にもかかわらず
In spite of 〜にもかかわらず
"In spite of ~", "despite ~" — a strong, formal contrast.
〜わりに
Considering 〜わりに
"Considering ~", "for a ~" — the result is out of proportion with what you would expect.
〜ものの
Although (written) 〜ものの
"Although ~", "~, but" — the expected consequence did not follow.
〜とはいえ
Be that as it may 〜とはいえ
"Although ~", "be that as it may" — concedes a known fact, then denies the expectation it...