By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
～にせよ and ～にしろ are formal Japanese grammar structures used to express a hypothetical or concessive condition like “even if”, “even though”, or “whether… or…”. They are often interchangeable and used in writing or polite speech.
Translation: Even if / Even though / Whether… or…
Form:
- Verb (plain form) + にせよ / にしろ
- Noun + にせよ / にしろ
- い-adjective / な-adjective + にせよ / にしろ
💡 Example Sentences
- 行くにせよ行かないにせよ、連絡はしてください。
Whether you go or not, please contact me. - 結果が良いにしろ悪いにしろ、報告する必要がある。
Whether the result is good or bad, you must report it. - 学生にせよ社会人にせよ、マナーは大切だ。
Whether you’re a student or a working adult, manners are important. - どんな理由にせよ、遅刻は許されない。
No matter the reason, being late is not acceptable. - 冗談にしろ、本気にしろ、彼の言葉はひどすぎた。
Whether it was a joke or serious, what he said was too much.
📝 Grammar Notes
- ～にせよ is slightly more formal than ～にしろ.
- Often used in contrasting or conditional expressions.
- Usually comes in pairs: AにせよBにせよ (whether A or B).
- Can express a single condition as well: “Even if A…”
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
- 行く＿＿＿＿行かない＿＿＿＿、彼には伝えてください。
- 本当のこと＿＿＿＿、冗談＿＿＿＿、言いすぎだよ。
- 学生＿＿＿＿社会人＿＿＿＿、規則を守るべきだ。
✔ Answers:
- にせよ / にせよ
- にせよ / にせよ (or にしろ / にしろ)
- にしろ / にしろ
2. Translate into Japanese
- Even if it’s a joke, it’s not funny.
- Whether you like it or not, the decision is final.
- No matter what your reason is, you must apologize.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 冗談にせよ、面白くない。
- 好きにしろ嫌いにしろ、その決定は最終的なものだ。
- どんな理由にしろ、謝るべきだ。
🔗 Related Grammar
- ～としても: Even if (used for assumptions)
- ～にしても: Even / Even if (emphasizes contrast)
- ～たとえ～ても: Even if (used in strong hypothetical statements)
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: Even if / Even though / Whether… or…
- Level: JLPT N2 / N1
- Form: Verb / Noun / Adjective + にせよ / にしろ
- Usage: To express concession or contrast between multiple options
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I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
