かれ～かれWhichever degree applies
This pattern joins a fixed pair of contrasting i-adjectives and says that the main statement holds whichever degree or endpoint applies. In practice, it survives mainly in two established expressions meaning “more or less” and “sooner or later.”
How it works
The whole pair works like an adverb. It presents two ends of a scale, then leads into a conclusion that remains true at either end. With the degree pair, the exact amount may vary; with the timing pair, the exact time may vary.
The two central expressions
多かれ少なかれ、誰もが他人の評価を気にしている。
Everyone cares to some extent about how others see them.
AnalyzeThe amount differs from person to person, but the statement applies across the scale.
遅かれ早かれ、この制度は見直さなければならない。
Sooner or later, this system will have to be reviewed.
AnalyzeThe timing is uncertain, but the need for review is presented as unavoidable.
Make the conclusion fit both sides
The main statement must make sense regardless of the exact degree or timing. A good test is to ask whether the conclusion would still be true if the amount were relatively large or small, or if the event happened relatively early or late.
Fixed adjective pairs versus productive alternatives
かれ pairs are largely fixed and contrast degrees or endpoints expressed by i-adjectives. By contrast, しようとしまいと productively contrasts doing an action with not doing it, while にしろ ... にしろ productively presents two alternatives. Choose those patterns when you need to construct a new pair rather than use one of the established adjective expressions.
More examples
どの地域も、多かれ少なかれ人口減少の影響を受けている。
Every region is affected by population decline to some degree.
Analyze研究者も多かれ少なかれ自分の前提に左右される。
Researchers, too, are influenced to some extent by their own assumptions.
Analyze技術革新は、多かれ少なかれ既存の仕事のあり方を変える。
Technological innovation changes the nature of existing work to some degree.
Analyze人は多かれ少なかれ過去の経験に基づいて判断する。
People base their judgments on past experience to some extent.
Analyzeこの矛盾は遅かれ早かれ表面化するだろう。
This contradiction will probably come to the surface sooner or later.
Analyze改革の必要性は遅かれ早かれ明らかになる。
The need for reform will become clear sooner or later.
Analyze遅かれ早かれ、私たちは決断を下さなければならない。
Sooner or later, we will have to make a decision.
Analyze