であれ / であろうと
🃏 Flashcard
であれ / であろうと
de are / de arou to
Tap to reveal usage
whoever; whatever; however; even ~
N1
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
de are / de arou to
Post ID
51207
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
whoever; whatever; however; even ~
📖 How to use it
A formal conditional pattern meaning 'even if it is ~' or 'no matter ~', used to emphasize that the outcome does not depend on the described condition.
Attaches to
Attach であれ to a noun or na-adjective stem (e.g., 子供であれ、大人であれ). Attach であろうと to a noun or na-adjective stem (e.g., 結果がどうであろうと). For verbs, use the volitional form plus と (e.g., 失敗しようと), but that is a separate pattern, not であろうと. In this entry, focus on noun/na-adj stems: であれ and であろうと are interchangeable after nouns and na-adjective stems, with であれ being more literary and often used in paired constructions.
This pattern expresses that something holds true regardless of the condition mentioned. It is a formal, written-style construction. You'll often see it in paired form: Xであれ、Yであれ meaning 'whether X or Y' or 'no matter if X or Y'. A typical use is to list two contrasting items and say the result is the same. When used with a single item, it emphasizes that even that extreme case does not change the outcome. For example, 'たとえ反対されようと、やる' means 'even if I am opposed, I'll do it', but note that されようと is the verb pattern, not であろうと. Note that であれ is more literary and often appears in headlines, speeches, or formal writing, not in casual conversation.
結果がどうであれ、全力を尽くしたことに後悔はない。
Kekka ga dou de are, zenryoku o tsukushita koto ni koukai wa nai.
Whatever the result, I have no regrets about having done my best.
結果がどうであろうと、全力を尽くしたことに後悔はない。
Kekka ga dou de arou to, zenryoku o tsukushita koto ni koukai wa nai.
Whatever the result, I have no regrets about having done my best.
子供であれ大人であれ、ルールは守らなければならない。
Kodomo de are otona de are, ruuru wa mamoranakereba naranai.
Whether you are a child or an adult, you must follow the rules.
Not ても / でも (even if)
ても is used in everyday speech with the te-form of verbs and adjectives (e.g., 行っても, 高くても). であれ is formal and used with nouns or na-adjective stems, often in paired constructions. When in doubt, choose ても for spoken Japanese, and reserve であれ for written or formal contexts.
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Formal and literary; used in written language, speeches, or formal announcements, not in casual conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
であれ / であろうと
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat であれ / であろうと three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using であれ / であろうと. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern であれ / であろうと mean?
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Whoever; whatever; however; even ~
What JLPT level is であれ / であろうと?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use であれ / であろうと in a sentence?
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Attach であれ / であろうと (de are / de arou to) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is であれ / であろうと formal or casual Japanese?
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であれ / であろうと is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember であれ / であろうと long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.