といってもいい - Grammar Discussion

Grammar Points
#1

you could say
you might say

Structure

  • Verb + と・いってもいい
  • Noun・だ + と・いってもいい

[Lit.: “Even if one says it, it is good/okay”]

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#2

In this example sentence has me a little stumped…

彼は早くて、ウサイン・ボルトに勝てると言ってもいい。
You could say that he is fast enough to beat Usain Bolt.

Why is Usain Bolt marked by the particle に, and why is 勝つ “to win” in the progressive tense?
Before enabling translation I read this as “You could say he is fast and beating Usain Bolt”.

I hope I am not asking to many questions, thank you in advance!

#3

@deltacat3 「だれだれに勝つ」 means “to beat someone” or “win against someone.” “勝てる” is not the progressive tense but the potential form of 勝つ. So, 「ウサイン・ボルトに勝つ」 means “to beat Usain Bolt” or “to win against Usain Bolt.” 「ウサイン・ボルトに勝てる」therefore means “to be able to win against Usain Bolt” or “to be able to beat Usain Bolt.” Cheers!

P.S. に負ける means “to lose against.” So, 「ウサイン・ボルトに負けない」 could also work, as it means “to not lose to Usain Bolt.”

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#4

Great breakdown!