Kotomora
JLPT N1ConstructionWritten
Furigana

（よ）うが～（よ）うが／（よ）うと～（よ）うとWhichever of two alternatives occurs

This construction names two possible events, actions, or outcomes and states that the main conclusion remains the same whichever one occurs. It is an emphatic way to express a firm decision, principle, rule, or evaluation.

How the pair works

The two verb phrases set out genuine alternatives. The main clause then declares a result, policy, attitude, or judgment that does not change between them. The alternatives are often opposites, but they can also be two different events that are equally irrelevant to the conclusion.

Both linker patterns

The versions with the two linkers have the same basic function. Keep the chosen linker consistent throughout the pair.

雨あめが降ふろうが雪ゆきが降ふろうが、大たい会かいは予よ定ていどおり開かい催さいする。

Whether it rains or snows, the event will be held as scheduled.

Analyze

彼かれが残のころうと去さろうと、こちらの方ほう針しんは変かわらない。

Whether he stays or leaves, our policy will not change.

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Why it sounds forceful

Repeating the volitional form gives the sentence a deliberate, balanced rhythm. Writers and speakers use it to stress that even sharply different outcomes will not affect their position. It therefore suits declarations, policies, resolutions, and strong personal commitments better than routine choices in casual conversation.

A firm commitment

勝かとうが負まけようが、最さい後ごまで正せい々せい堂どう々どうと戦たたかう。

Whether we win or lose, we will fight fairly to the end.

Analyze

Winning and losing are opposite outcomes, but neither changes the commitment expressed in the main clause.

A less rhetorical alternative

For a neutral statement that a result is independent of a condition, にかかわらず is often more natural. It can attach to a noun-based condition and does not require two repeated volitional verbs. The paired construction on this page is more balanced, forceful, and rhetorical.

天てん候こうにかかわらず、大たい会かいは予よ定ていどおり開かい催さいします。

Regardless of the weather, the event will be held as scheduled.

Analyze

This is the neutral neighboring construction, not the paired emphatic pattern taught on this page.

More examples

成せい功こうしようが失しっ敗ぱいしようが、この挑ちょう戦せんから得えるものはある。

Whether we succeed or fail, there will be something to gain from this challenge.

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彼かの女じょが承しょう諾だくしようが拒きょ否ひしようが、その判はん断だんを尊そん重ちょうする。

Whether she accepts or refuses, we will respect her decision.

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市し場じょうが拡かく大だいしようと縮しゅく小しょうしようと、品ひん質しつ基き準じゅんは変かえない。

Whether the market expands or contracts, we will not change our quality standards.

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称しょう賛さんされようが非ひ難なんされようが、自じ分ぶんの信しん念ねんは曲まげない。

Whether I am praised or criticized, I will not compromise my convictions.

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会かい議ぎが長なが引びこうと早はやく終おわろうと、報ほう告こく書しょは今日きょう中じゅうに提てい出しゅつする。

Whether the meeting runs long or ends early, the report will be submitted today.

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計けい画かくが成せい功こうしようと失しっ敗ぱいしようと、結けっ果かはすべて公こう開かいする。

Whether the plan succeeds or fails, all the results will be made public.

Analyze
（よ）うが～（よ）うが／（よ）うと～（よ）うと – Whichever of two alternatives occurs