Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering 「〜にしても〜にしても」: No Matter What, The Result Is The Same!

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

This grammar pattern means “whether it’s A or B,” “regardless of A or B,” or “no matter if it’s A or B.” It is used to present two (or more) contrasting or exhaustive possibilities, emphasizing that the subsequent statement holds true for all of them.

🎯 Primary Function

To indicate that a certain situation, conclusion, or opinion remains unchanged or valid, irrespective of which of the listed possibilities occurs or is considered. It highlights comprehensiveness or inevitability.

📋 Grammar Structure

[名詞] にしても [名詞] にしても [動詞 (普通形)] にしても [動詞 (普通形)] にしても [い形容詞 (普通形)] にしても [い形容詞 (普通形)] にしても [な形容詞 (語幹)] にしても [な形容詞 (語幹)] にしても (often with である)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it adds a nuanced, comprehensive touch to arguments or explanations.

😊 Informal Situations

Common in everyday conversation to express certainty or to make a point strongly, even when discussing seemingly minor things.

✍️ Written Language

Frequently appears in articles, essays, and reports to present balanced arguments or to underscore a point by considering various angles.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in discussions, debates, and casual conversations when presenting a robust opinion or describing a situation that holds true under multiple conditions.

💡 Common Applications

Expressing certainty regardless of conditions
Used to state that an outcome or situation is fixed, irrespective of the variable factors mentioned.
Example: 天気にしても、気分にしても、明日は必ず外出します。(Whether it’s the weather or my mood, I will definitely go out tomorrow.)
Making a comprehensive statement
When you want to convey that your point covers all possible cases, or a broad range of possibilities, by listing a few representative ones.
Example: 仕事にしても、プライベートにしても、健康が一番大切です。(Whether it’s work or private life, health is the most important.)
Highlighting robustness of a claim
To emphasize that a conclusion or decision is firm, even when considering counter-arguments or different perspectives.
Example: 彼が来るにしても来ないにしても、パーティーの準備は進めます。(Whether he comes or not, we will proceed with the party preparations.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in advanced Japanese communication.
🎚️
Difficulty
N2
Example Sentences
美味しいにしても、まずいにしても、この店はいつも混んでいますね。
Whether the food is delicious or terrible, this restaurant is always crowded, isn’t it?
参加するにしても、しないにしても、早めに返事をしてください。
Whether you participate or not, please reply early.
学生にしても、社会人にしても、学ぶことはたくさんあります。
Whether one is a student or a working adult, there is much to learn.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Expresses Exhaustiveness
This pattern explicitly lists two contrasting or representative possibilities, implying that the following statement holds true for all other similar possibilities not mentioned, creating a sense of comprehensiveness.
Example: 日本人にしても、外国人にしても、寿司は人気のある食べ物です。(Whether Japanese or foreign, sushi is a popular food.)
Focus on the Result/Conclusion
The primary emphasis is on the unchanging nature of the conclusion that follows, regardless of the conditions or situations presented.
Example: 成功するにしても、失敗するにしても、努力したことに意味がある。(Whether you succeed or fail, there is meaning in the effort you put in.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Incorrect plain form conjugation for Na-adjectives.
✅ Use Na-adjective stem + にしても, or more formally, Na-adjective + であるにしても.
While other parts of speech use their plain forms directly, Na-adjectives typically connect as [stem + にしても] or [stem + であるにしても]. Simply using `Na-adjだにしても` is incorrect.
❌ undefined
✅ undefined
undefined

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral. The politeness level is determined by the overall sentence ending and context, not by the 「〜にしても〜にしても」 pattern itself.
Social Situations: Often used in situations requiring a comprehensive explanation, logical reasoning, or when expressing a firm, unwavering stance. It implies a thorough consideration of possibilities.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

〜にしても〜にしても vs. 〜にせよ〜にせよ
Both patterns have very similar meanings (“whether X or Y”). However, 「〜にせよ〜にせよ」 is generally considered more formal and slightly stronger/more emphatic than 「〜にしても〜にしても」. 「〜にせよ」 often implies a concession.
When to use: Use 「〜にしても〜にしても」 for a slightly more natural and common expression in both written and spoken Japanese. Use 「〜にせよ〜にせよ」 in more formal writing, speeches, or when you want to convey a stronger sense of concession or absolute certainty.
〜にしても〜にしても vs. たとえ〜ても
「たとえ〜ても」 means “even if…” and focuses on a single hypothetical situation. 「〜にしても〜にしても」 explicitly lists two or more alternatives and states the outcome is the same for all of them, emphasizing exhaustiveness.
When to use: Use 「たとえ〜ても」 when presenting one hypothetical scenario. Use 「〜にしても〜にしても」 when you want to enumerate multiple possibilities and state that the conclusion holds true for all, including implied ones.
undefined
undefined
When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

For nouns, use the noun directly followed by 「にしても」. For verbs and i-adjectives, use their plain forms (present/past, affirmative/negative) before 「にしても」. For na-adjectives, use the stem + にしても, or the more formal plain form + であるにしても (e.g., 静かであるにしても).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The “ni” in 「にしても」 is pronounced like the “ni” in “nifty”. The “shi” is like “she”. The “te” is like “teh” in “tech”. Ensure a slight pause or clear articulation between the two phrases connected by 「にしても」.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of it as “No matter WHAT… (whether A or B), the result is always X.” The “ni” can remind you of “Nani?” (What?), suggesting the idea of considering different possibilities.

Vocabulary List
美味しい
oishii
delicious
まずい
mazui
terrible, bad-tasting
混む
komu
to be crowded
参加する
sanka suru
to participate
返事
henji
reply, answer
学生
gakusei
student
社会人
working adult
Kanji List
店
mise
shop, restaurant
混
kon
mixed, crowded
参加
sanka
participation
返事
henji
reply
学生
gakusei
student
社会
shakai
society
人
jin
person
学
gaku
study, learning
多
oo
many, much
晴
hare
clear weather
雨
ame
rain
Practice Exercises
次の文の空欄に最も適切なものを選択しなさい。 彼女は忙しい___、忙しくない___、いつも笑顔だ。
にしても／にしても
にせよ／にせよ
たとえ／ても
なら／なら
どちらが正しいですか？ A: 高いにしても、低いにしても、このアパートの家賃は払えない。 B: 高いであるにしても、低いであるにしても、このアパートの家賃は払えない。
A
B
両方正しい
両方間違い
43 Views
Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *