Conditionals and Hypotheses
Formal Pattern for Contrasting Conditions
The pattern ～にせよ～にせよ is a formal Japanese expression used to present two contrasting conditions or options. It shows that the final judgment, opinion, or result in the following clause remains exactly the same regardless of which option is chosen. Because it carries a stiff, academic tone, learners will mostly encounter it in news broadcasts, speeches, and formal writing.
01Main Functions
Contrasting Two Opposites
The most common use of this pattern is to pair two exact opposites, such as a positive verb and its negative form, to show that an outcome cannot be avoided in either case.
行くにせよ行かないにせよ、早めに返事をしてください。
Whether (you) go or do not go, please reply early.
Presenting Two Representative Examples
Instead of strict opposites, the pattern can pair two representative examples from a category to show that a statement applies universally across all similar items.
国内にせよ海外にせよ、旅行にはお金がかかる。
Whether domestic or overseas, traveling costs money.
Stating an Unchanging Conclusion
The clause that follows ～にせよ～にせよ always presents the speaker's judgment, advice, or a natural truth that holds firm regardless of the presented variables.
高いにせよ安いにせよ、この部品は買わなければならない。
Whether it is expensive or cheap, (we) have to buy this part.
02Sentence Pattern
verb (dictionary form) + にせよ + verb in negative ない form + にせよ
参加するにせよ参加しないにせよ、明日までに連絡してください。
Whether (you) participate or do not participate, please contact (me) by tomorrow.
Pairing the dictionary form with the negative ない form is the standard way to cover both sides of a yes-or-no decision.
verb (ta-form) + にせよ + verb (past negative ない form) + にせよ
知っていたにせよ知らなかったにせよ、責任を取らなければならない。
Whether (you) knew or did not know, (you) must take responsibility.
Using past tense verbs allows the speaker to apply a judgment to something that has already happened.
i-adjective + にせよ + i-adjective (negative) + にせよ
難しいにせよ難しくないにせよ、一度は挑戦してみるべきだ。
Whether it is difficult or not difficult, (you) should try challenging it at least once.
When using an i-adjective, attach にせよ directly to both the positive and negative forms.
i-adjective + にせよ + i-adjective + にせよ
暑いにせよ寒いにせよ、会社に行きます。
Whether it is hot or cold, (I) go to the company.
Two opposite i-adjectives can be paired to show that a routine or fact remains true regardless of extremes.
na-adjective + にせよ + na-adjective + にせよ
好きにせよ嫌いにせよ、この科目は必修です。
Whether (you) like it or dislike it, this subject is a required course.
When pairing two contrasting na-adjectives, drop the な from the na-adjective and attach にせよ directly.
noun + にせよ + noun + にせよ
成功にせよ失敗にせよ、良い経験になります。
Whether it is a success or a failure, it will become a good experience.
Contrasting nouns can be placed directly before にせよ to represent two opposing outcomes.
noun + である + にせよ + noun + である + にせよ
社長であるにせよ平社員であるにせよ、ルールを守ってください。
Whether (one) is a company president or a regular employee, please follow the rules.
In highly formal writing, である is often added between the noun and にせよ for an extra level of stiffness.
03Example Sentences
参加するにせよ参加しないにせよ、明日までに連絡してください。
Whether (you) participate or do not participate, please contact (me) by tomorrow.
Pairing a dictionary form verb with its negative ない form is the standard way to cover both sides of a decision.
事実を知っていたにせよ知らなかったにせよ、責任を取らなければならない。
Whether (you) knew the facts or did not know (them), (you) must take responsibility.
Past tense verbs can be paired to apply a strict judgment to something that has already happened.
勝つにせよ負けるにせよ、最後まで全力で戦うつもりだ。
Whether (I) win or lose, (I) intend to fight with all (my) might until the end.
Two opposing verbs can be paired to express a firm resolution regardless of the outcome.
買うにせよ買わないにせよ、今日中に決めてください。
Whether (you) buy (it) or do not buy (it), please decide by the end of today.
A simple pairing of a dictionary form verb and its negative ない form sets up a firm deadline for a decision.
会議に出席するにせよしないにせよ、事前に資料には目を通してください。
Whether (you) attend the meeting or do not (attend), please look through the documents in advance.
When pairing an irregular-verb with its negative form, the second half of the pair is often shortened to just しないにせよ instead of repeating the full noun.
試験が難しいにせよ難しくないにせよ、一度は受験してみるべきだ。
Whether the exam is difficult or not difficult, (you) should try taking it at least once.
When using an i-adjective, attach にせよ directly to both the positive and negative forms to express that the quality does not change the required action.
夏が暑いにせよ寒いにせよ、エアコンの点検は必要だ。
Whether the summer is hot or cold, checking the air conditioner is necessary.
Two opposite i-adjectives can show that a requirement remains true regardless of extreme conditions.
商品が高いにせよ安いにせよ、品質の確認は欠かせない。
Whether the product is expensive or cheap, confirming the quality is essential.
This pattern effectively declares that an action is unavoidable regardless of a varying factor like price.
英語が好きにせよ嫌いにせよ、この大学では必修です。
Whether (you) like English or dislike it, it is a required course at this university.
For na-adjectives, drop the な and attach にせよ directly to state that personal preferences do not alter a strict rule.
場所が便利であるにせよ不便であるにせよ、あの家賃は高すぎる。
Whether the location is convenient or inconvenient, that rent is too expensive.
In highly formal sentences, である can be added after na-adjectives before attaching にせよ.
結果が成功にせよ失敗にせよ、このプロジェクトは良い経験になる。
Whether the result is a success or a failure, this project will become a good experience.
Contrasting nouns are placed directly before にせよ to represent two opposing outcomes that lead to the same final truth.
国内にせよ海外にせよ、旅行には必ず保険をかけるべきだ。
Whether domestic or overseas, (you) should definitely buy insurance for travel.
Rather than strict opposites, nouns representing different categories can be paired to show a universal rule.
社長であるにせよ新入社員であるにせよ、社内のルールは守らなければならない。
Whether (one) is a company president or a new employee, (one) must follow the company rules.
Adding である after a noun adds an extra level of stiffness suitable for strict organizational rules.
04Comparisons
～にせよ～にせよ vs. ～にしろ～にしろ
Both patterns mean 'whether A or B' and are structurally identical. The only difference is the level of formality. ～にせよ～にせよ is highly formal and primarily used in written Japanese, formal speeches, and news. ～にしろ～にしろ is slightly less formal and much more common in everyday spoken Japanese.
行くにしろ行かないにしろ、早く決めてください。
Whether (you) go or do not go, please decide quickly.
～にせよ～にせよ vs. ～にせよ
While the repeated ～にせよ～にせよ presents two contrasting options ('whether A or B'), using a single にせよ focuses on just one condition. A single にせよ translates to 'even if' or 'granted that', showing that an extreme or hypothetical condition does not change the speaker's judgment.
忙しいにせよ、連絡くらいはできるだろう。
Even if (you) are busy, (you) should at least be able to contact (me).
05Nuance and Usage
The pattern ～にせよ～にせよ is a highly formal Japanese expression used to set up two opposing conditions or options. By presenting both sides—such as doing an action versus not doing it, or an extreme high versus an extreme low—the speaker emphasizes that the final outcome, rule, or judgment remains absolutely unchanged regardless of the circumstances. This makes it a powerful tool for delivering firm conclusions or stating universal truths.
Because of its stiff and academic tone, you will rarely hear ～にせよ～にせよ in casual daily conversation. It is primarily reserved for written Japanese, official business communications, news broadcasts, and formal speeches. In everyday spoken Japanese, native speakers will almost always opt for the softer ～にしろ～にしろ or the even more conversational ～にしても～にしても to express the exact same 'whether A or B' meaning.
Grammatically, this pattern requires the two paired elements to be logically related and of the same word class. You will frequently see it pair a dictionary-form verb with its negative ない form (行くにせよ行かないにせよ), or two contrasting adjectives or nouns (高いにせよ安いにせよ). Furthermore, the main clause that follows cannot simply be an open question; it must assert a clear necessity, advice, or an unavoidable fact that holds true in either scenario.
06Core Explanation
The pattern ～にせよ～にせよ is a formal Japanese expression used to present two contrasting conditions or options.
The grammar pattern ～にせよ～にせよ is an advanced and formal way to express 'whether A or B' in Japanese. It is used to present two opposing or contrasting options, setting up a situation where the final conclusion remains exactly the same no matter which path is chosen. Because it has a stiff, academic tone, it is most often found in written Japanese, news broadcasts, formal speeches, and business settings.
To build this pattern, you attach にせよ to two items from the same grammatical category. You will frequently see it pair a positive verb with its corresponding negative form, such as 行くにせよ行かないにせよ, meaning “whether you go or do not go”. It can also connect contrasting adjectives, like 暑いにせよ寒いにせよ, meaning “whether it is hot or cold”, or contrasting nouns, like 成功にせよ失敗にせよ, meaning “whether it is a success or a failure”. When attaching to a noun or a na-adjective, you generally drop any particles or な and attach にせよ directly, though formal writing sometimes adds である for emphasis.
A key rule for using ～にせよ～にせよ is that the second half of the sentence must deliver a concluding judgment, a piece of advice, a command, or a universal truth. You cannot use this pattern just to leave a question open. The sentence establishes the two extremes, and the main clause then asserts the speaker's firm stance that applies universally to both conditions. This makes the pattern very powerful for declaring rules or stating unavoidable obligations.
If you are studying for the JLPT or reading Japanese materials, you might also encounter the nearly identical pattern ～にしろ～にしろ. Both expressions mean 'whether A or B' and they are often completely interchangeable in meaning. The main difference is one of register: ～にしろ～にしろ is slightly less formal and is much more common in everyday spoken Japanese, whereas ～にせよ～にせよ feels weightier and more official. Another similar conversational alternative is ～にしても～にしても.
Finally, be careful not to confuse the repeated ～にせよ～にせよ with a standalone にせよ. When にせよ appears only once in a sentence, it generally translates to 'even if' or 'granted that', focusing on a single condition rather than contrasting two opposite sides. By mastering the paired use of ～にせよ～にせよ, you can elevate your formal Japanese and express strong, unwavering conclusions across a wide range of situations.
07Common Mistakes
Wrong
行くにせよ行かないにせよ、早くしてね。
Correct
行くにせよ行かないにせよ、早めに返事をしてください。
Why: ～にせよ～にせよ is a highly formal expression. Using it with a casual ending like 早くしてね sounds unnatural. It should be paired with formal polite speech.
Wrong
行くにせよ行かないにせよ、どうしますか。
Correct
行くにせよ行かないにせよ、明日までに連絡してください。
Why: This pattern requires the main clause to state a firm judgment, obligation, or advice. You cannot use it simply to ask an open question about what someone will do.
Wrong
便利だにせよ不便だにせよ、ここに住むしかない。
Correct
便利にせよ不便にせよ、ここに住むしかない。
Why: When attaching にせよ to a na-adjective, you must drop the だ or な. Alternatively, you can use である in highly formal writing, such as 便利であるにせよ.
Wrong
行くにせよ食べるにせよ、お金がかかる。
Correct
国内にせよ海外にせよ、旅行にはお金がかかる。
Why: The two items paired with にせよ must be contrasting opposites or representative examples of the same category, not just two unrelated actions.
Wrong
学生にせよ働かないにせよ、税金は払うべきだ。
Correct
学生にせよ社会人にせよ、税金は払うべきだ。
Why: The elements before にせよ must belong to the same grammatical category. You cannot pair a noun like 学生 with a verb like 働かない.
Wrong
暑いであるにせよ寒いであるにせよ、エアコンの点検は必要だ。
Correct
暑いにせよ寒いにせよ、エアコンの点検は必要だ。
Why: You cannot attach である to an i-adjective. For i-adjectives, attach にせよ directly to the positive or negative form.
08Questions
Can I mix different grammar categories before にせよ?
No, the elements A and B must belong to the same grammatical category. If A is a verb, B must be a verb. If A is a noun, B must be a noun. Mixing them, such as pairing a noun with a verb, is ungrammatical.
Is it okay to use only one にせよ?
Yes, but the meaning changes. A single にせよ means 'even if' or 'granted that' (focusing on one condition), while repeating it as ～にせよ～にせよ means 'whether A or B' (contrasting two options).
Can I end the sentence with a question like どうしますか?
No. The clause following ～にせよ～にせよ must deliver a concluding judgment, an unavoidable truth, advice, or an obligation. It cannot be used simply to ask an open-ended question about what someone will do.
09Mini Practice
- 01
参加するにせよ（ ）、明日までに連絡してください。
- 02
好き（ ）嫌い（ ）、この科目は必修です。
- 03
Whether the exam is difficult or not difficult, you should try taking it at least once.
Tap the pieces in the correct order.
- 04
(Chatting casually with a close friend) 行くにせよ行かないにせよ、早くしてね。
- 05
国内にせよ（ ）にせよ、旅行には必ず保険をかけるべきだ。
- 06
(In a formal business email) 買うにせよ買わないにせよ、どうしますか。
- 07
Whether it is a success or a failure, it will become a good experience.
Tap the pieces in the correct order.
- 08
（ ）にせよ負けるにせよ、最後まで全力で戦うつもりだ。
Summary
Learner Summary
- ～にせよ～にせよ is a formal Japanese grammar pattern meaning 'whether A or B'.
- It pairs two contrasting conditions or opposing options to show that the final outcome remains exactly the same in either case.
- You will most commonly see it pair a dictionary-form verb with its negative ない form, or two opposite adjectives or nouns.
- The sentence must conclude with a firm judgment, opinion, advice, rule, or universal truth, not an open question.
- Because it is highly formal, it is mostly found in written Japanese, news, and official speeches; spoken Japanese usually prefers ～にしろ～にしろ.
10Study Map
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