“〜to wa iu mono no”: That Said, But 〜 [JLPT N1]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
Acknowledging the prior fact, but the latter clause raises a limit or counter.
“〜to wa iu mono no”: That Said, But 〜
「(plain form/noun だ) ＋ とはいうものの」 means “that said, although 〜, but (in reality) …” — acknowledging the first clause as fact, while the latter brings out a gapped, contrary reality (adversative). E.g. 「春だとはいうものの、まだ寒い」 (it may be spring, but it's still cold), 「やると決めたとはいうものの、不安は残る」 (although I decided to do it, unease remains). It first affirms the prior statement/decision, then pivots ‘but in reality … (not as expected).' ⚠️ Connection: plain form ＋ とはいうものの (noun/な-adj ＋ だ ＋ とはいうものの: 便利だとはいうものの). ⚠️ 「とは言うものの」 can also go at the sentence head as a conjunction.
🧠 Core nuance: acknowledging the prior statement, but reality has a gap
The core is acknowledging the first clause (statement/decision/fact) holds, but the latter brings out a gapped, contrary reality (adversative): 「〜とはいうものの」 first affirms the prior statement/decision/common sense (春だ = it's spring, やると決めた = decided to do it, 便利だ = it's convenient), then pivots ‘but in reality … (a gap, not as expected, still an issue)' (まだ寒い = still cold, 不安は残る = unease remains, 高い = yet expensive). It carries a ‘although in words/principle it's so, reality is …' nuance. ⚠️ Connection: plain form ＋ とはいうものの; nouns/な-adj add だ (便利だとはいうものの, 学生だとはいうものの). ⚠️ 「とは言うものの」 can also stand alone at the sentence head as a conjunction (とはいうものの、現実は厳しい). Near 「といっても, とはいえ」 (all ‘that said'). A somewhat written, pivoting expression.
📌 How to Connect
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| plain form ＋ とはいうものの | that said, but | 決めたとはいうものの |
| noun/な-adj ＋ だ ＋ とはいうものの | although it's 〜, but | 便利だとはいうものの |
| (sentence head) とはいうものの | that said (conjunction) | とはいうものの、〜 |
💬 Example Sentences
- もう春だとはいうものの、朝晩はまだ寒い。(It may already be spring, but mornings and evenings are still cold.) — gap
- やると決めたとはいうものの、やはり不安は残る。(Although I decided to do it, unease still remains.) — pivot
- 便利だとはいうものの、値段が高すぎる。(Although it's convenient, the price is too high.) — な-adj ＋ だ
- 試験に受かったとはいうものの、まだ油断はできない。(Although I passed the exam, I can't let my guard down yet.) — limit
- 引き受けたとはいうものの、正直自信はない。(Although I took it on, honestly I have no confidence.) — contrast
🔄 Compare: とはいうものの vs とはいえ vs といっても vs ものの
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜とはいうものの | “that said, but” (acknowledging the first, the latter has a gap, somewhat written) | 春だとはいうものの寒い |
| 〜とはいえ | “although 〜” (near-synonym, more concise, written) | 子供とはいえ |
| 〜といっても | “although 〜, actually” (not as … as said) | 高いといっても |
| 〜ものの | “although 〜, but” (adversative, general) | 約束したものの |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Connection adds だ: nouns/な-adj add だ ＋ とはいうものの (便利だとはいうものの, ✗ 便利とはいうものの).
- Adversative (the latter has a gap): the latter brings out a gapped, contrary reality (春だ→まだ寒い).
- Can go at the head: とはいうものの can stand alone at the sentence head as a conjunction.
- Near とはいえ: とはいえ is more concise; the meaning is close (that said).
💡 Nuance & When to Use
「とはいうものの」 means “that said, although 〜, but (in reality) …,” first acknowledging the first clause as fact/statement/decision, while the latter brings out a gapped, contrary reality (春だとはいうものの寒い, 決めたとはいうものの不安は残る). It carries an adversative ‘although in principle it's so, but reality is …' nuance. Connection: plain form (noun/な-adj add だ), also at the sentence head as a conjunction. Near 「とはいえ, といっても, ものの」. Somewhat written. A must at N1.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- High-frequency N1: plain form ＋ とはいうものの = that said, but (acknowledging the first, the latter brings a gapped reality, adversative).
- Connection: nouns/な-adj add だ ＋ とはいうものの (便利だとはいうものの); also at the sentence head.
- Distinction: とはいうものの ≒ とはいえ ≒ といっても ≒ ものの (all adversative, that said); somewhat written.
🖊️ 練習題（5題）
Q1. 「やると決めた___、不安は残る。」（話雖如此）
(A) とはいうものの (B) からには (C) おかげで (D) ばかりに
Q2. 「とはいうものの」の働きは?
(A) 承認前句，後句帶出有落差的事實（逆接）
(B) 因果
(C) 並列
(D) 命令
Q3. 「春だとはいうものの寒い」の意味は?
(A) 雖說是春天，卻還很冷
(B) 春天很溫暖
(C) 不是春天
(D) 因為春天所以冷
Q4. 「とはいうものの」の語感は?
(A) 話雖如此（逆接）
(B) 因為〜所以
(C) 為了〜
(D) 隨著〜
Q5. 接法が正しいのは?
(A) 便利だとはいうものの、高い。 (B) 便利とはいうものの(な形は だ)。
(C) とはいうものの行く(前句なし)。 (D) とはいうもののを食べる。
答案解析
1. (A) とはいうものの ── 話雖如此仍有不安。
2. (A) ── 承認前句,後句帶落差(逆接)。
3. (A) ── 雖說是春天卻還冷。
4. (A) ── 話雖如此(逆接)。
5. (A) ── 「便利だとはいうものの、高い」正確。