???? What is this grammar?
This is a concessive hypothetical grammar pattern used to express:
- “No matter what / whoever / whatever it is, the result or stance remains the same.”
- It’s often used to present two or more possibilities or hypothetical situations that don’t affect the outcome.
???? Structure
| Type | Structure | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Noun + であれ | No matter what it is / even if it is… | |
| Noun + であろうと | No matter what it is / even if it is… |
✅ Both patterns are formal and interchangeable in meaning, though であろうと sounds slightly more literary or philosophical.
???? Meaning in Context
Used when:
- Emphasizing that the situation, decision, or attitude won’t change no matter what something is.
- Often paired with 誰 (whoever), 何 (whatever), どこ (wherever).
English equivalents:
- “No matter who/what/where/when…”
- “Even if it is…”
???? Example Sentences
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 理由が何であれ、許せない。 | No matter what the reason is, I can’t forgive it. |
| 相手が誰であれ、正しいことは正しい。 | No matter who the other person is, right is right. |
| それが事実であろうと、認めるわけにはいかない。 | Even if that is a fact, I can’t accept it. |
| どんな結果であろうとも、最後までやり抜く。 | No matter what the result is, I’ll see it through to the end. |
| 金持ちであれ貧乏であれ、人は平等である。 | Whether rich or poor, people are equal. |
???? Nuances & Tone
| Pattern | Usage | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| であれ | Formal, logical | Strong hypothetical assumption |
| であろうと | Very formal, literary | Philosophical, reflective tone |
- であれ tends to be more factual/logical.
- であろうと is often used in essays, speeches, or philosophical statements.
???? Comparison with Similar Patterns
| Expression | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| ～ても | Even if… | Conversational, casual |
| ～にかかわらず | Regardless of… | Neutral, formal |
| ～であれ / であろうと | No matter what/who… | Formal, emphatic |
| ～だろうが～だろうが | Whether A or B… | Conversational, emphatic |
Example:
- 理由が何であれ許せない。→ No matter what the reason is, I can’t forgive it. (formal)
- 理由が何でも許せない。→ Whatever the reason, I can’t forgive it. (casual)
✅ Practice Exercise
Translate into Japanese using ～であれ / ～であろうと:
- No matter who the person is, violence is unacceptable.
- Whether it’s true or not, it doesn’t matter.
- No matter how difficult it is, I won’t give up.
Possible Answers:
- 相手が誰であれ、暴力は許されない。
- それが事実であろうと関係ない。
- どんなに難しかろうと、諦めない。
???? Summary Table
| Grammar | ～であれ / ～であろうと |
|---|---|
| Meaning | No matter what/who… |
| Structure | Noun + であれ / であろうと |
| Nuance | Formal, logical, emphatic |
| Usage | Essays, speeches, official statements |
???? Pro Tip:
You’ll often see this in JLPT N1 reading, news articles, academic writing, or formal public statements. It’s a powerful pattern to convey unwavering principles or positions.
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