（よ）うと・
Whatever happens, or whichever way it goes, what follows stays the same. It is ても said firmly, often with some defiance. と and が mean the same.
no matter what
No matter what anyone says, I will not change my testimony.
whether A or B
Rain or snow, the event will be held as scheduled.
whether or not
Whether he comes or not, we will start the meeting at ten.
No matter what
Volitional + と（も）／が
Usually after a question word or たとえ. It is the （よ）う form of 行こう, "let's go", but here nobody intends anything: 何が起ころうと is "whatever happens". An い-adjective ends in かろう: 高かろうと.
Whether A or B
A（よ）うが B（よ）うが ／ A（よ）うと B（よ）うと
The same ending on both halves.
Whether or not
行こうと行くまいと ／ 行こうが行くまいが
The same verb again with まい, a written negative. Godan verbs (う-verbs) take it on the dictionary form, ichidan verbs (る-verbs) mostly on the stem: 食べまい. する is しまい or するまい; 来る is 来まい or 来るまい.
- After it
- What doesn't change: a decision, a principle, a fact, or simply not caring. 変わらない, 関係ない, かまわない.
- とも
- The same meaning at its grandest: vows and speeches.
- Where you'll meet it
- Novels, editorials, speeches, song lyrics. In conversation, when someone won't budge: 誰が何と言おうと.
No matter what
A question word covers every case. With たとえ, or with neither, it is one case: "even if".
No matter what happens, we will not stop the relief operation.
Even if everyone opposes me, I will not withdraw this proposal.
I don't care what people say about me.
Whether A or B
Two cases, opposites or two of a kind, and neither changes anything.
Win or lose, we will fight fair to the end.
Whether he stays or leaves, our policy will not change.
Dear or cheap, I buy what I need.
Two い-adjectives.
Whether or not
Do it or don't: it makes no difference. Nobody is wavering. With ある, the second half is usually なかろう: 経験があろうとなかろうと, "experienced or not".
Whether it rains or not, the ceremony will be held as scheduled.
Whether he admits the facts or not, the evidence is worth just as much.
Whether you go or not is up to you.
What people say: ても
Even if it rains, the ceremony will be held as scheduled.
An announcement, standing firm.
Even if it rains, we'll hold the ceremony as scheduled.
The everyday way to say it.
The pairs are 勝っても負けても and 来ても来なくても.
Close neighbours
The same after a noun or a な-adjective: "whatever it is", "whether A or B".
Even if my opponent is a child, I don't intend to go easy.
With か in place of と, the choice is still open: someone can't decide whether to do it.
He spent the whole night wondering whether or not to send the letter.
（よ）うとするN3
With する after the と, someone really is trying to do it, or is about to.
I tried to open the door, but it was locked and wouldn't open.
ともN2
The same とも after the く form of an い-adjective: a written "even if".
Even if the road is steep, it is worth going on.
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
父が
Choose an answer to see why.
2The same word goes in both blanks.
彼が
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
no matter what
However long it takes, I will find the cause.
no matter what
Whatever attempts are made to disrupt it, the election will be held as scheduled.
whether A or B
Praised or blamed, I will not bend my convictions.
whether A or B
Whether the market grows or shrinks, we will not change our quality standards.
whether or not
The registration fee is not refunded, whether you use the scheme or not.
whether or not
Whether or not it gets results, this attempt is worth making.