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にせよ/ にしろ
N2 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today
ni seyo/ ni shiro
even if; regardless; whether... or
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🃏 Flashcard
にせよ/ にしろ
ni seyo/ ni shiro
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even if; regardless; whether... or
N2
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading ni seyo/ ni shiro
Post ID 51096
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

even if; regardless; whether... or

📖 How to use it

Used to say that something applies no matter which option or condition is true, meaning 'even if' or 'whether... or'.

Attaches to Attach to the plain form of verbs (dictionary form, past tense), い-adjectives, な-adjective stems, or nouns. For nouns and な-adjectives, attach にせよ/にしろ directly to the stem (e.g., 学生にせよ, 簡単にせよ).

This pattern expresses that regardless of a certain condition or choice, the result is the same. It is similar to ても but more formal and often used in written or logical contexts. When used with two contrasting items, it means 'whether A or B'. It can also be used with a single item to mean 'even if'.

行くにせよ行かないにせよ、連絡はしてください。
Iku ni seyo ikanai ni seyo, renraku wa shite kudasai.
Whether you go or not, please let me know.
彼が来るにしろ来ないにしろ、準備はしておこう。
Kare ga kuru ni shiro konai ni shiro, junbi wa shite okou.
Whether he comes or not, let's get ready.
高いにせよ安いにせよ、品質が大事だ。
Takai ni seyo yasui ni seyo, hinshitsu ga daiji da.
Whether it's expensive or cheap, quality matters.
Not 〜ても 〜ても is more casual and used in everyday speech, while にせよ/にしろ is formal and often used in writing or formal speech. Also, にせよ/にしろ can pair two contrasting items naturally, whereas 〜ても usually needs to be repeated.
Register Formal and literary; primarily used in written Japanese or formal speeches, not in casual conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
にせよ/ にしろ
📚 How to Master This Pattern
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Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat にせよ/ にしろ three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
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Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using にせよ/ にしろ. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
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Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern にせよ/ にしろ mean? ▼
Even if; regardless; whether... or
What JLPT level is にせよ/ にしろ? ▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use にせよ/ にしろ in a sentence? ▼
Attach にせよ/ にしろ (ni seyo/ ni shiro) 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 にせよ/ にしろ formal or casual Japanese? ▼
にせよ/ にしろ 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 にせよ/ にしろ long-term? ▼
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.