Posted inN2 Grammar

「にせよ / にしろ」：Mastering Japanese Concessive Expressions (JLPT N2 Grammar)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

This pattern expresses “whether… or…”, “even if…”, or “no matter whether…”. It indicates that a certain situation or outcome remains unchanged regardless of the preceding conditions or possibilities presented.

🎯 Primary Function

To state that a conclusion is valid under all specified circumstances, often presenting two contrasting or exhaustive possibilities. It emphasizes the unwavering nature of the consequence.

📋 Grammar Structure

動詞の普通形 (V-plain) + にせよ / にしろ い形容詞の普通形 (I-adj-plain) + にせよ / にしろ な形容詞の普通形 (Na-adj-stem + だ) + にせよ / にしろ または (Na-adj-stem + である) + にせよ / にしろ 名詞 + (だ / である) + にせよ / にしろ

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

「にせよ」 is slightly more formal and is often preferred in formal written contexts like essays or reports. 「にしろ」 can also be used formally, but is generally less stiff.

😊 Informal Situations

「にしろ」 is more commonly used in informal spoken language. 「にせよ」 can sound a bit stiff or overly formal in casual conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Both are common in written Japanese, including newspaper articles, academic papers, and official documents. 「にせよ」 might appear more frequently in highly formal or literary texts.

🗣️ Spoken Language

「にしろ」 is frequently used in daily conversation to express concession or alternatives. 「にせよ」 is less common in spoken Japanese unless aiming for a more emphatic or formal tone.

💡 Common Applications

Presenting two contrasting or exhaustive possibilities.
Used when stating that regardless of which of two given alternatives is true, the subsequent statement or conclusion holds without change.
Example: 成功するにせよ失敗するにせよ、最後まで努力することが重要だ。(Seikō suru ni seyo shippai suru ni seyo, saigo made doryoku suru koto ga jūyō da.) – Whether you succeed or fail, it’s important to make an effort until the very end.
Emphasizing a single condition, meaning “even if…” or “no matter how…”
This application highlights a single condition that does not affect the main point or conclusion. It often appears with adverbs such as 「どんなに」 (no matter how) or 「いくら」 (however much).
Example: どんなに忙しいにせよ、家族との時間は大切だ。(Donna ni isogashii ni seyo, kazoku to no jikan wa taisetsu da.) – No matter how busy you are, time with family is important.
Referring to different types or categories, meaning “whether it’s X or Y.”
Used to show that a certain characteristic or truth applies universally across different classifications, items, or groups.
Example: 肉にしろ魚にしろ、新鮮なものが一番だ。(Niku ni shiro sakana ni shiro, shinsen na mono ga ichiban da.) – Whether it’s meat or fish, fresh ones are the best.
📊
Frequency
Medium to High. It is a fundamental grammar pattern for expressing concession and is commonly encountered in N2 level texts and conversations.
🎚️
Difficulty
Medium. While the basic meaning is straightforward, mastering its nuances, especially in comparison to similar patterns, requires careful practice and attention.
Example Sentences
行くにせよ行かないにせよ、連絡してください。
Whether you go or not, please contact me.
どんなに忙しいにせよ、家族との時間は大切だ。
No matter how busy you are, time with family is important.
彼が正しいにしろ間違っているにしろ、まずは話を聞くべきだ。
Whether he is right or wrong, you should listen to him first.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Often used with contrasting pairs.
This pattern is most commonly used to present two opposite or distinct possibilities (A にせよ B にせよ / A にしろ B にしろ) and state that the outcome is the same regardless of which possibility is true.
Example: 行くにせよ行かないにせよ、連絡してください。(Iku ni seyo ikanai ni seyo, renraku shite kudasai.) – Whether you go or not, please contact me.
Can be used with a single condition.
While often paired, にせよ/にしろ can also be used with a single condition, meaning “even if/though.” This usage is particularly common with adverbs like 「どんなに」 (no matter how) or 「いくら」 (however much).
Example: どんなに難しいにせよ、諦めてはいけない。(Donna ni muzukashii ni seyo, akiramete wa ikenai.) – No matter how difficult it is, you mustn’t give up.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using non-plain forms before にせよ/にしろ.
✅ Always connect to the plain form (dictionary form for verbs, plain i-adjective, plain na-adjective + だ/である, or noun + だ/である).
This grammar pattern strictly requires the plain form of the preceding word. For example, 「行きますにせよ」 is incorrect; it should be 「行くにせよ」.
❌ undefined
✅ undefined
undefined

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral to slightly formal. The pattern itself does not inherently add politeness to a sentence, but its usage often appears in contexts that are analytical or conclusive.
Social Situations: Used in discussions, arguments, formal statements, or when presenting various possibilities. It is suitable for situations requiring a comprehensive or definitive statement regardless of variables.
Regional Variations: There are no significant regional variations in the usage or meaning of にせよ/にしろ across Japan.

🔍 Subtle Differences

にせよ vs. にしろ
「にせよ」 is generally perceived as slightly more formal, slightly stronger, or more literary. 「にしろ」 is more common in everyday spoken Japanese and feels a bit softer.
When to use: Use 「にせよ」 for more formal writing or when you want to convey a slightly stronger tone. Use 「にしろ」 for general conversation or less formal writing. They are often interchangeable.
にせよ/にしろ vs. 〜ても/でも
「にせよ/にしろ」 emphasizes “whether A or B, the outcome is the same.” It presents alternatives or a spectrum of possibilities. 「〜ても/でも」 emphasizes “even if A, the outcome is still X.” It presents a single condition that doesn’t affect the result.
When to use: Use 「にせよ/にしろ」 when discussing two or more specific possibilities (or a broad range implied by a single condition with 「どんなに」). Use 「〜ても/でも」 when discussing a single hypothetical condition that doesn’t change the outcome.
にせよ/にしろ vs. 〜にしても
「〜にしても」 (ni shitemo) is very similar and often interchangeable, but it can also carry the nuance of “even considering X” or “putting X aside.” While it can express concession, 「にせよ/にしろ」 is more strongly focused on “regardless of which possibility.”
When to use: For clear “whether… or…” statements presenting alternatives, 「にせよ/にしろ」 is often more direct. 「〜にしても」 can be used in similar contexts but also has broader applications, such as providing a concession or counter-argument after considering something.

📝 Conjugation Notes

Always attach 「にせよ / にしろ」 to the plain (dictionary) form of verbs and i-adjectives. For na-adjectives and nouns, attach it to their plain form ending with 「だ」, or the more formal 「である」.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The pronunciation is straightforward: 「にせよ」 (ni-se-yo) and 「にしろ」 (ni-shi-ro). Ensure clear articulation of each mora. When used in pairs (e.g., AにせよBにせよ), there is a slight pause or breath between the two clauses.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「にせよ」 as “whether it may be” (connecting to 「する」, to do, in its imperative/formal form 「せよ」). Similarly, 「にしろ」 connects to 「する」 in its informal imperative form 「しろ」. This helps reinforce the idea of “regardless of the action/state.” The core idea is “the conclusion remains the same, no matter the preceding conditions.”

Vocabulary List
連絡
renraku
contact
忙しい
isogashii
busy
家族
kazoku
family
大切
taisetsu
important, precious
正しい
tadashii
correct, right
間違っている
machigatte iru
to be wrong
まず
first, to begin with
Kanji List
連絡
れんらく
contact
忙
いそが
busy
家族
かぞく
family
大切
たいせつ
important
正
ただ
correct
間違
まちが
wrong, mistake
聞
き
listen
成功
せいこう
success
失敗
しっぱい
failure
努力
どりょく
effort
重要
じゅうよう
important
Practice Exercises
どんなに＿＿にせよ、この仕事は今日中に終わらせなければならない。
難しい
難しさ
難しく
難しかっ
行くに＿＿行かないに＿＿、事前に連絡してください。
しろ、しろ
しても、しても
せよ、せよ
なら、なら
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