であれ・
Whatever it is, what follows stays the same. With one thing named it is "whatever" or "even if"; with two, "whether A or B". It is written and firm; in conversation people say であっても.
one named: whatever
Whatever the reason, falsifying records cannot be allowed.
one named: even if
Even if my opponent is a child, I don't intend to go easy.
two named: whether A or B
Student or working adult, everyone must follow this library's rules.
One thing named
Noun／な-adjective + であれ ／ であろうと
With a question word it is "whatever" or "whoever": 何であれ, 誰であろうと. Without one it is "even if", often after たとえ.
Two named
A であれ + B であれ ／ A であろうと + B であろうと
The same ending on both halves: 有名であれ無名であれ.
どうあれ
… が／は + どうあれ
"However it turns out": 結果がどうあれ. The set phrase 何はともあれ is "anyway".
- After it
- What doesn't change: a rule, a principle, a verdict, something you are set on.
- であれ or であろうと
- They mean the same, and so do であろうとも and であろうが.
- Where you'll meet it
- Rules, editorials, speeches, statements. In conversation it lays down the law: 理由はどうあれ、遅刻は遅刻だ.
- Ending a sentence
- An order, "be …", in mottos and speeches: 正直であれ, "be honest".
One thing named
Whoever's proposal it is, its feasibility should be weighed by the same standards.
Even if the other side is a major corporation, we will not give in to an improper demand.
Whatever the outcome, the course of the investigation will be made public.
Anyway, I'm just glad you're safe.
Everyone says this one.
Two named
A and B are opposites, or two of a kind that stand for every case. English "whether A or B" is also the open question, when you don't know which; that one is AかBか.
Manager or new recruit, no exceptions to the safety procedures are allowed.
For or against, anyone who gives an opinion has a duty to back it up.
Famous or unknown, applicants are judged by the same criteria.
What people say: であっても
Whoever I am dealing with, I say what needs saying.
Written, or said to sound resolute.
Whoever I am dealing with, I say what needs saying.
What people say, and write too. More casually, 誰が相手でも.
Whoever I am dealing with, I say what needs saying.
Spoken and blunt: だろうと is the everyday であろうと. With two things, often だろうが: 男だろうが女だろうが、関係ない.
With two it is 学生であっても社会人であっても, or just 学生でも社会人でも.
Close neighbours
The "whether A or B" people use, after verbs and adjectives as well as nouns.
Whether you are coming or not, please let us know by Friday.
The same firm "whatever" and "whether" for verbs and い-adjectives, built on the volitional.
Rain or snow, the event will be held as scheduled.
Other pairs that name two things
なり～なりN1
Offers options: "A, or B, or something". Advice, a request or your own plan follows.
Please reply by phone, by email, whichever suits you.
といい～といいN1
Gives two grounds for one verdict: "the A, the B, all good", or all bad.
The location, the service: you can't fault this hotel.
Puts it in between: "neither quite A nor quite B".
His reply was vague, neither clearly a yes nor a no.
Means everywhere, or at all hours: "A, B, all over".
The children came home covered in mud: faces, arms, everywhere.
だの～だのN1
Sounds fed up: "A, B, on and on", what someone keeps saying. Spoken.
The guest went on and on: the room was small, the view was bad, and so on.
Check yourself
1The same word goes in both blanks.
大人
Choose an answer to see why.
2The same word goes in both blanks.
合格
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
Whatever the reason, a promise is a promise.
Whoever it is, anyone who breaks the rules will face the same penalty.
Even if the aim is the public good, illegal means cannot be justified.
Whatever the circumstances, protecting human life comes first.
Individual or organization, the set documents are required to apply.
Whether a party is an individual or a corporation, it is treated equally under the law.