「～とは言うものの」- Contrasting Structure
Explanation
In Japanese, ～とは言うものの (to wa iu mono no) is a grammatical structure used to express contrast or contradiction. It translates to "although... but..." and is used to indicate that there is a discrepancy or unexpected outcome between the first and second clauses. This structure is more formal and is often used in written language or formal situations.
Grammar Pattern
| Grammar Point | Connection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| ～とは言うものの | Plain form of verbs, adjectives, nouns + とは言うものの | Used to express a contradiction or contrast between the first and second clauses, meaning "although... but...". |
Basic Usage
Connection
- Plain form of verbs + とは言うものの
- Adjectives + とは言うものの
- Nouns + とは言うものの
Meaning
The basic meaning of this structure is "although... but...". It acknowledges the truth of the first clause but indicates that the result or situation in the second clause is different from what might be expected.
Examples
人 は過去 に遡 れない。とは言うものの、昔 のことを思い出 すとつい憂うつ になってしまう。- Hito wa kako ni sakanoborenai. To wa iu mono no, mukashi no koto o omoidasu to tsui yuuutsu ni natte shimau.
- People cannot go back to the past. Although that's true, thinking about the past makes me feel melancholic.
彼 は勉強 がよくできる とは言うものの、試験 になると緊張 してしまう。- Kare wa benkyou ga yoku dekiru to wa iu mono no, shiken ni naru to kinchou shite shimau.
- Although he is good at studying, he gets nervous during exams.
日本 は安全 だ とは言うものの、夜 遅 く一人 で歩 くのは危険 です。- Nihon wa anzen da to wa iu mono no, yoru osoku hitori de aruku no wa kiken desu.
- Although Japan is safe, walking alone late at night is still dangerous.
経済 は回復 している とは言うものの、失業率 はまだ高 いです。- Keizai wa kaifuku shite iru to wa iu mono no, shitsugyouritsu wa mada takai desu.
- Although the economy is recovering, the unemployment rate is still high.
Summary
～とは言うものの is a formal structure used to express contrast or contradiction in Japanese. Mastering its basic usage and understanding its nuances compared to similar grammar points will help you accurately convey complex logical relationships and real-life situations.