Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
さもあらばあれ Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression
be that as it may ; in any case ; do as you please
usually written using kana alone
A set phrase expressing resignation or indifference: 'whatever happens, so be it' or 'do as you like'. Often used when the speaker accepts a situation or gives free rein to someone else. The kanji forms are extremely rare; the kana spelling is standard.
Whatever he says, in any case, I don't care.
Written forms 遮莫さもあらばあれ Usage 100%
Archaic ateji spelling; virtually never used in contemporary writing.
然さ もあらばあれ
Rare kanji spelling using 然; not commonly used in modern Japanese.
Kanji 然 sort of thing, so, if so 遮 intercept, interrupt, obstruct 莫 must not, do not, be not Similar words どうせ どうせ is a more common and casual adverb meaning 'anyway' or 'after all', while さもあらばあれ is a formal, somewhat archaic set phrase expressing resignation.
いずれにせよ いずれにせよ is a neutral, modern expression meaning 'in any case', whereas さもあらばあれ carries a more dramatic, resigned tone.
Etymology Derived from classical Japanese 然もあらばあれ (samo araba are), literally 'even if it is so, let it be'. The kanji 遮莫 is an archaic ateji spelling. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the phrase has been used since the Heian period.
