といい〜といい
🃏 Flashcard
といい〜といい
to ii~to ii
Tap to reveal usage
both ... and; whether it be ... or ~
N1
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
to ii~to ii
Post ID
51390
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
both ... and; whether it be ... or ~
📖 How to use it
A literary pattern used to evaluate two things together, meaning 'both ... and' or 'whether it be ... or'.
Attaches to
Attach to the dictionary form of a verb or to a noun directly. For na-adjectives, attach to the stem (no だ). The pattern is といいAといいB, where A and B are the two items being considered.
This pattern is used to present two examples that together support a single judgment or impression. It often carries a sense of admiration or criticism, and the speaker is saying that both qualities are notable. For example, you can comment on a person's appearance and personality, or on two aspects of a situation. It is a formal, written-style expression, more common in essays, reviews, or speeches than in casual conversation. The pattern can also be used with verbs in their dictionary form, but noun usage is most frequent. It is not used to express a choice or condition; it is purely additive and evaluative.
この店は味といい、雰囲気といい、申し分ない。
Kono mise wa aji to ii, fun'iki to ii, moushibun nai.
This restaurant is perfect, both in taste and atmosphere.
彼女はルックスといい、性格といい、理想の女性だ。
Kanojo wa rakkusu to ii, seikaku to ii, risou no josei da.
She is the ideal woman, both in looks and in personality.
この小説は内容といい、文体といい、評価が高い。
Kono shousetsu wa naiyou to ii, buntai to ii, hyouka ga takai.
This novel is highly regarded, both for its content and its style.
Not 〜にしても〜にしても
While both can list two items, 〜にしても〜にしても means 'whether it's A or B' and often introduces a condition or a choice that leads to the same conclusion. In contrast, といい〜といい simply evaluates both together without implying a choice. For example, 行くにしても行かないにしても is natural, but 行くといい行かないといい is not used.
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This is a formal and literary pattern, typically found in written language or formal speech, and is not used in casual conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
といい〜といい
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat といい〜といい 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 といい〜といい. 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 といい〜といい mean?
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Both ... and; whether it be ... or ~
What JLPT level is といい〜といい?
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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 といい〜といい in a sentence?
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Attach といい〜といい (to ii~to ii) 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 といい〜といい formal or casual Japanese?
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といい〜といい 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 といい〜といい 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.