とはいえ vs のに difference


Is there any difference between the two? Are they interchangeable? Both mean
"although/even though."




You use とはいえ to partially deny, or say something contrary to, what was stated
earlier while accepting it on the whole.

> 試験に合格したとはいえ、まだ勉強しないといけない。  
>  Although I passed the exam, I still have more to study.  
>  (While it is true that I passed the exam, I still have more to study.)

On the other hand, のに is used to state two contrasting or contradictory facts.
In addition, it carries a sense of unexpectedness or surprise on the part of
the speaker.

> 試験に合格したのに、まだ勉強しないといけない。  
>  Although I passed the exam, I am still forced to study.  
>  (Despite the fact that I passed the exam, I am still forced to study.)

I would say とはいえ is closer in meaning to けど or けれども than to のに in that it
lacks this sense of unexpectedness or surprise.

