Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 5/21

にしろ〜にしろWhether… or

Structure

Verb + にしろ(1) + Verb + にしろ(1)

［い］Adjective + にしろ(1) + ［い］Adjective + にしろ(1)

［な］Adjective + (である) + にしろ(1) ［な］Adjective + (である) + にしろ(1)

Noun + (である) + にしろ(1) + Noun + (である) + にしろ(1)

(1) にせよ

Details

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    Standard

About にしろ～にしろ

にせよ, and にしろ are two phrases that are often translated as 'even if (A)', or 'no matter if (A)'. This structure is a combination of に, and either of the imperative forms of する; せよ, or しろ. せよ tends to be more common in written material, while しろ is more common in speech. Despite the English translations, this particular use of the imperative form of する translates more accurately to 'so it's (A), who cares!', as the speaker is just strongly stating that the actual condition of (A) is unimportant in the overall sentence.

When repeated, にせよ～にせよ illustrates that regardless of either '(A) or (B), (C) is still true'. In many cases, (A) and (B) will only be a small sample of possibilities, with the actual meaning being 'in (A), (B), or any similar situation at all, (C) is still true'.

にせよ and にしろ may appear following verbs, い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives or nouns in any of their standard forms.

Caution

Although not grammatically incorrect, it is quite unnatural to mix the use of にしろ with にせよ. Due to this, when using this pattern, it will be important to repeat the same exact expression.

Fun-fact

にせよ～にせよ is regularly used with pairs of antonyms. In a broad sense, this just illustrates that 'for the opposites of (A), (B), and everything between, (C)'.

Related

Examples

--:--

    好(す)きにしろ嫌(きら)いにしろ、このワクチンは義務(ぎむ)づけられている。

    Whether you like it or hate it, the vaccine is obligatory.

    公務(こうむ)にしろプライベートにしろ、ルールはちゃんと守(まも)ってください。

    Whether it is public or private, please properly obey the rules.

    古典(こてん)にしろ新作(しんさく)にしろ、とにかく彼(かれ)の落語(らくご)が好(す)きだ。

    Whether it is his old stuff or a new, in any case, I like his rakugo.

    言葉(ことば)遣(づか)いにしろ態度(たいど)にしろ、彼(かれ)の印象(いんしょう)はとにかく悪(わる)い。

    Whether in speech or attitude, I have a really bad impression of him.

    寿司(すし)にしろ刺身(さしみ)にしろ、とにかく生(なま)の魚(さかな)が好(す)きなんです。

    Whether it is sushi or sashimi, in any case, I like raw fish.

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にしろ～にしろ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    whether… or

    Structure

    • Verb + にしろ / にせよ + Verb + にしろ / にせよ
    • Noun + (である) + にしろ / にせよ + Noun + (である) + にしろ / にせ
    • なAdj + (である) + にしろ / にせよ なAdj + (である) + にしろ / にせよ
    • いAdj + にしろ / にせよ + いAdj + にしろ / にせよ

    [Examples have to come from the same group. The phrase is often the speaker’s opinion/judgment. Often used with a pair of antonyms]

    View on Bunpro

  • pandashoujo

    pandashoujo

    Is this masculine like the previous にせよ entry?

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