Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 5/21

にしろ〜にしろ

Whether… or

Structure

Verb + にしろ(1) + Verb + にしろ(1)

[い]Adjective + にしろ(1) + [い]Adjective + にしろ(1)

[な]Adjective + (である) + にしろ(1) [な]Adjective + (である) + にしろ(1)

Noun + (である) + にしろ(1) + Noun + (である) + にしろ(1)

(1) にせよ

Details

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About にしろ~にしろ

にせよ, and にしろ are two phrases that are often translated as 'even if (A)', or 'no matter if (A)'. This structure is a combination of に, and either of the imperative forms of する; せよ, or しろ. せよ tends to be more common in written material, while しろ is more common in speech. Despite the English translations, this particular use of the imperative form of する translates more accurately to 'so it's (A), who cares!', as the speaker is just strongly stating that the actual condition of (A) is unimportant in the overall sentence.

When repeated, にせよ~にせよ illustrates that regardless of either '(A) or (B), (C) is still true'. In many cases, (A) and (B) will only be a small sample of possibilities, with the actual meaning being 'in (A), (B), or any similar situation at all, (C) is still true'.

にせよ and にしろ may appear following verbs, い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives or nouns in any of their standard forms.

Caution

Although not grammatically incorrect, it is quite unnatural to mix the use of にしろ with にせよ. Due to this, when using this pattern, it will be important to repeat the same exact expression.

  • このレストランは、料理(りょうり)にせよ接客(せっきゃく)態度(たいど)にしろ(すべ)てが最悪(さいあく)だ。
    Everything about this restaurant, whether it be the food or the customer service attitude, is terrible. (Unnatural Japanese)

Fun-fact

にせよ~にせよ is regularly used with pairs of antonyms. In a broad sense, this just illustrates that 'for the opposites of (A), (B), and everything between, (C)'.

  • (あさ)(かわ)にしろ(ふか)(かわ)にしろ子供(こども)にはライフジャケット()させないといけない。
    Whether the river is deep or shallow, children must wear life jackets.

Synonyms

Examples

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    ()にしろ(きら)にしろ、このワクチンは義務(ぎむ)づけられている。

    Whether you like it or hate it, the vaccine is obligatory.

    公務(こうむ)にしろプライベートにしろ、ルールはちゃんと(まも)ってください。

    Whether it is public or private, please properly obey the rules.

    古典(こてん)にしろ新作(しんさく)にしろ、とにかく(かれ)落語(らくご)()きだ。

    Whether it is his old stuff or a new, in any case, I like his rakugo.

    言葉(ことば)(づか)にしろ態度(たいど)にしろ(かれ)印象(いんしょう)はとにかく(わる)い。

    Whether in speech or attitude, I have a really bad impression of him.

    寿司(すし)にしろ刺身(さしみ)にしろ、とにかく(なま)(さかな)()きなんです。

    Whether it is sushi or sashimi, in any case, I like raw fish.

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にしろ~にしろ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

  • pandashoujo

    pandashoujo

    Is this masculine like the previous にせよ entry?

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