Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 5/20

にしろ〜にしろ

Whether… or

Structure Legend

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

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

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.
  • このイベントに参加(さんか)するにせよしないにせよ(わたし)連絡(れんらく)をください。
    Whether or not you plan to attend this event, please contact me.
  • 給料(きゅうりょう)(おお)にしろ(すく)ないにしろ給料(きゅうりょう)をもらっている以上(いじょう)ちゃんと(はたら)かないといけない。
    As long as you are getting paid, you must properly do your job whether you get paid well or not.
  • 勉強(べんきょう)()にせよ(きら)にせよ子供(こども)である以上(いじょう)勉強(べんきょう)はしなくてはいけません。
    Whether you like studying or not, as long as you are a child, you have to study.
  • 社長(しゃちょう)にしろアルバイトにしろ工場内(こうじょうない)での喫煙(きつえん)禁止(きんし)されている。
    Whether you are the president or a part-time worker, smoking is prohibited in the factory.
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.
  • このレストランの料理(りょうり)にせよ接客(せっきゃく)態度(たいど)にしろ(すべ)てが最悪(さいあく)だ。
    Everything about this restaurant, whether it be the food or the customer service attitude, is terrible. (Unnatural Japanese)
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)'.
  • (かわ)(ふか)にしろ(あさ)にしろ子供(こども)にはライフジャケット()させないといけない。
    Whether the river is deep or shallow, children must wear life jackets.

Synonyms

Examples

  • (むら)にせよ(だい)都市(とし)にせよ近代(きんだい)では下水(げすい)絶対(ぜったい)必要(ひつよう)だ。

    Whether it is a village or a big city, the sewage system is absolutely necessary in modern times.

  • ()にしろ(きら)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.

  • 平凡(へいぼん)住人(じゅうにん)にしろ大統領(だいとうりょう)にしろこの(あた)りでは喫煙(きつえん)(きん)じられている。

    Whether you are an ordinary inhabitant or the president, smoking is forbidden in this area.

  • ()ったにしろ()てなかったにしろ去年(きょねん)優勝者(ゆうしょうしゃ)(たい)して善戦(ぜんせん)した。

    Regardless of whether they won or lost, they put up a good fight against last year's champion.

  • 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(まも)ってください。

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

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にしろ~にしろ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

  • pandashoujo

    pandashoujo

    About 1 year ago

    Is this masculine like the previous にせよ entry?

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