Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 3/20

にせよ

Even if, Even though, No matter, Whether… or

Structure

Verb + にしろ(1) + Phrase
[い]Adjective + にしろ(1) + Phrase
[な]Adjective + (である)+ にしろ(1) + Phrase
Noun + (である)+ にしろ(1) + Phrase


(1) にせよ

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About にせよ・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 relation to what they actually want to say.
にせよ and にしろ can appear following verbs, い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives or nouns in any of their standard forms.
  • ()(かい)参加(さんか)しないにせよ参加費(さんかひ)明日(あした)までに()ってきてください。
    Even if you are not going to attend the drinking party, please bring your entrance fee by tomorrow.
  • (こわ)にしろ(わたし)仕事(しごと)なのでやらなくてはならない。
    Even though it scares me, I have to do it because it's my job.
  • どんなに不便(ふべん)であるにせよ(わたし)自然(しぜん)(ゆた)かな田舎(いなか)()みたいです。
    Even if it would be very inconvenient, I would prefer to live in the countryside where nature is abundant.
  • あの(ひと)相手(あいて)子供(こども)にしろ一切(いっさい)手加減(てかげん)はしない。
    That person does not take it easy at all, even if the opponent is a child.
As this structure is fairly direct, in most cases it will be used as a way to emphasize that regardless of what the case is for (A), (B) is still true, or is the more important matter to consider.

Synonyms

Examples

  • どんな事情(じじょう)があったにしろ()()りは先週(せんしゅう)だった。もう(すこ)()()りよりも(はや)書類(しょるい)提出(ていしゅつ)してもよかった。

    No matter the circumstances, the deadline was a week ago. It would have been better to have submitted the documents before the deadline.

  • (わる)結果(けっか)にしろいつかハードワークが(むく)われる(とき)()でしょう。

    Even if the results are bad, eventually hard work will pay off.

  • 詩人(しじん):「(わたし)死亡(しぼう)するにせよ青銅(せいどう)記念(きねん)()より()永続(えいぞく)する記憶(きおく)存在(そんざい)するだろう。」

    Poet: 'Even if I die, with my poems, I have created a legacy that will last longer than any bronze monument.'

  • たとえこちら正当(せいとう)あるにせよ、いま抗議(こうぎ)するのはタイミングが(わる)

    Even if we are right, this is not the time to protest.

  • (ちが)があるにせよ、わずかな()だ。

    Even if there is a difference it is minimal.

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にせよ・にしろ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • Hadros232232

    Hadros232232

    About 3 years ago

    How does にしろ differ from とも or にしても?

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    About 1 year ago

    Hey @Hadros232232 !

    にしても・にしろ・とも・にせよ all mean the same thing and many people use them depending on which one sounds better in that situation.

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