Japanese from zero · N1 Lesson 17
The first negotiation
〜とはいえ/〜といえども ・ あくまでも ・ 敢えて ・ 〜ないものでもない
In this lesson, you will learn to admit a fact and go against it with 〜とはいえ and the more formal 〜といえども, to say that something is only what it is and no more with あくまでも, to say you are doing something others would hold back from with 敢えて, and to give a cautious, reluctant 'we might' with 〜ないものでもない. It is late September, and Lisa interprets at the project's first video negotiation with the American buyer.
By the end you will be able to say
相手が 大手といえども、全部の 条件に 応じる ことは できません。Even though they're a major chain, we can't agree to every condition.
これは あくまでも 提案の 段階です。This is still only at the proposal stage.
失礼ですが、敢えて 申し上げます。Excuse me, but I must say this.
価格が 下がれば、応じないものでもない。If the price comes down, we might agree.
新人とはいえ、交渉の 通訳を しました。I may be new, but I interpreted at the negotiation.
The grammar in this lesson
- 〜とはいえ / 〜といえども — even though; that said — とはいえ and the more formal といえども admit a fact, then say something that goes against what you would expect from it.
- あくまでも — only; strictly; to the end — あくまでも (or あくまで) stresses that something is only what it is and no more, or that someone keeps to a position to the end.
- 敢えて — on purpose; dare to — 敢えて says you do something on purpose although it is hard, unwelcome or not expected of you.
- 〜ないものでもない — it's not impossible that; might — A verb's ない form + ものでもない gives a cautious, reluctant 'might', usually with a condition.