Meaning & Usage
The N1 grammar pattern 「であれ〜であれ」 (de are~ de are) is a formal, somewhat literary expression. It highlights that a specific situation or outcome remains true, irrespective of two (or more) explicitly mentioned possibilities. In English, it translates best to phrases such as "whether... or...", "no matter whether... or...", or "be it... or...". This pattern underscores a thorough inclusion of all possibilities within a defined scope, asserting the universal applicability of the following statement.
To better grasp 「であれ〜であれ」, imagine a boundary enclosing a set of distinct options. The grammar then asserts, "Regardless of which option you select within this boundary, the outcome remains constant." This emphasizes impartiality or a consistent principle that transcends specific conditions. For instance, the phrase 「男性（だんせい）であれ女性（じょせい）であれ」 effectively conveys that the subsequent point applies equally to men and women, without discrimination. It stresses the statement's universal nature despite the variations presented.
This construction frequently appears in formal contexts: speeches, academic writing, official documents, or persuasive arguments. It's employed when conveying thoroughness, impartiality, or unwavering determination. The pattern 「であれ〜であれ」 is significantly more formal than casual equivalents like 「～でも～でも」. While 「～でも～でも」 expresses a similar 'whether A or B' meaning, 「であれ〜であれ」 possesses a stronger, more emphatic, and definitive tone. This implies the speaker has thoroughly considered all perspectives and reached a firm conclusion. Due to its elevated register, it's not typically used in everyday conversations among friends or family.
Grasping this nuance is vital. When encountering 「であれ〜であれ」, it signals that the writer or speaker is presenting a strong, generalized claim. This claim aims to encompass all possibilities and prevent exceptions based on the stated alternatives. It serves as a powerful rhetorical tool for establishing broad principles or guaranteeing wide-ranging applicability.
Structure & Formation
The structure for 「であれ〜であれ」 is quite simple, primarily used to connect two nouns or noun phrases. It states that the subsequent statement holds true irrespective of which noun is relevant.
| Part of Speech | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 名詞（めいし） (Noun) | 名詞（めいし） + であれ + 名詞（めいし） + であれ + [文（ぶん）] | 大人であれ子供であれ、規則は守るべきだ。 |
Note that both items connected by 「であれ」 must belong to the same grammatical category (nouns or noun phrases). They typically represent contrasting or exhaustive possibilities within the given context. While the second 「であれ」 can occasionally be omitted when the context is clear, including both strongly reinforces the "whether... or..." nuance.
This pattern is used exclusively with nouns or noun phrases. Although similar patterns like 「～であろうと～であろうと」 or 「～ようと～ようと」 can attach to verbs and adjectives, 「であれ～であれ」, in its basic form, is strictly for nouns. Directly attaching it to verbs or adjectives is incorrect; such cases necessitate a different grammatical construction or nominalization. The statement following 「であれ〜であれ」 presents the conclusion that remains constant despite the variation in the preceding nouns.
Example Sentences
General Examples
晴天であれ雨天であれ、イベントは開催されます。
seiten de are uten de are, ibento wa kaisai saremasu.
Whether it's clear weather or rainy weather, the event will be held.
成功であれ失敗であれ、この経験は必ず役に立つだろう。
seikō de are shippai de are, kono keiken wa kanarazu yaku ni tatsu darō.
Whether it's a success or a failure, this experience will definitely be useful.
学生であれ社会人であれ、学び続ける姿勢が大切だ。
gakusei de are shakaijin de are, manabi tsuzukeru shisei ga taisetsu da.
Whether you are a student or a working adult, the attitude of continuing to learn is important.
男性であれ女性であれ、平等な機会が与えられるべきだ。
dansei de are josei de are, byōdō na kikai ga ataerareru beki da.
Whether male or female, equal opportunities should be given.
年齢であれ国籍であれ、差別は許されない。
nenrei de are kokuseki de are, sabetsu wa yurusarenai.
Whether age or nationality, discrimination is not permitted.
Contrasting Possibilities
善人であれ悪人であれ、法の下では平等である。
zennin de are akunin de are, hō no moto de wa byōdō de aru.
Whether a good person or a bad person, everyone is equal under the law.
新人であれベテランであれ、責任は同じだ。
shinjin de are beteran de are, sekinin wa onaji da.
Whether a newcomer or a veteran, the responsibility is the same.
真実であれ虚偽であれ、その発言は波紋を広げた。
shinjitsu de are kyogi de are, sono hatsugen wa hamon o hirogeta.
Whether truth or falsehood, that statement spread ripples.
書面であれ口頭であれ、約束は守らなければならない。
shomen de are kōtō de are, yakusoku wa mamoranakereba naranai.
Whether in writing or verbally, promises must be kept.
国内外であれ、安全への配慮は最優先されるべきだ。
kokunaigai de are, anzen e no hairyo wa saiyūsen sareru beki da.
Whether domestic or international, safety considerations should be prioritized.
More Complex Scenarios
知識であれ経験であれ、何かを深めるためには努力が必要だ。
chishiki de are keiken de are, nani ka o fukameru tame ni wa doryoku ga hitsuyō da.
Whether knowledge or experience, effort is necessary to deepen something.
理論であれ実践であれ、その両方が重要である。
riron de are jissen de are, sono ryōhō ga jūyō de aru.
Whether theory or practice, both are important.
富裕層であれ貧困層であれ、教育を受ける権利は等しい。
fuyūsō de are hinkonsō de are, kyōiku o ukeru kenri wa hitoshii.
Whether rich or poor, the right to receive education is equal.
個人的な見解であれ組織としての方針であれ、一貫性が求められる。
kojinteki na kenkai de are soshiki to shite no hōshin de are, ikkansei ga motomerareru.
Whether a personal opinion or an organizational policy, consistency is required.
過去であれ未来であれ、現在に集中することが大切だ。
kako de are mirai de are, genzai ni shūchū suru koto ga taisetsu da.
Whether past or future, it is important to focus on the present.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using with verbs or adjectives directly
「であれ〜であれ」 is primarily for connecting nouns. A common mistake is trying to attach it directly to verbs or adjectives, which is grammatically incorrect for this specific pattern.
❌ 速いであれ遅いであれ、締切は守るべきだ。
✅ 早かろうと遅かろうと、締切は守るべきだ。
✅ 速い場合であれ遅い場合であれ、締切は守るべきだ。
Explanation: To express "whether fast or slow," use patterns such as 「～かろうと～かろうと」 for i-adjectives, or nominalize the adjective/verb by adding a noun like 「場合（ばあい）」 (case/situation).
Mistake 2: Using in casual conversation
Due to its highly formal and emphatic nature, 「であれ〜であれ」 sounds unnatural and overly stiff in casual, everyday speech. Using it in informal settings can make you sound pedantic or like you're delivering a lecture.
❌ (友達同士の会話で) 今日であれ明日であれ、食べたいものを食べようよ。
✅ (友達同士の会話で) 今日でも明日でも、食べたいものを食べようよ。
Explanation: In casual settings, the simpler 「～でも～でも」 is suitable for expressing "whether... or...".
Mistake 3: Omitting the subsequent statement
The purpose of 「であれ〜であれ」 is to set up a universal truth or consequence. If you don't follow it with a statement that applies regardless of the preceding conditions, the sentence feels incomplete and grammatically unsound.
❌ 天気であれ気分であれ。
✅ 天気であれ気分であれ、今日は出かけるつもりはない。
Explanation: This pattern requires a concluding phrase or clause that clarifies what remains true despite the stated possibilities. It cannot stand alone.
Mistake 4: Using for completely unrelated items
While the two nouns connected by 「であれ」 can be contrasting, they should generally belong to the same conceptual category or be related in a way that makes their comparison meaningful within the context of the sentence. Using vastly disparate items can sound odd.
❌ 猫であれ鉛筆であれ、大切に扱うべきだ。
✅ 動物であれ物であれ、大切に扱うべきだ。
Explanation: While grammatically permissible, directly comparing "cats" and "pencils" with 「であれ」 seems arbitrary. It's better to use broader categories like "animals" and "objects." This provides a logical context for the universal statement.
Cultural Notes
In Japanese culture, highly formal expressions like 「であれ〜であれ」 underscore a deep appreciation for precision, thoroughness, and impartiality, particularly in public discourse. When a speaker or writer employs this grammar, they often aim to convey universal applicability or a principle that transcends individual differences. It serves as a linguistic tool to show that a statement is well-considered, robust, and fair across all mentioned conditions.
You will frequently encounter this pattern in legal documents, political speeches, academic papers, and philosophical texts. It's especially useful when establishing regulations, articulating ethical guidelines, or presenting universally convincing arguments. Its formal tone inherently conveys authority and seriousness, making it ideal for situations demanding paramount clarity and unambiguousness.
Conversely, its infrequent use in daily conversation underscores a cultural preference for context-dependent communication. It also highlights a clear distinction between formal pronouncements and informal exchanges. Japanese communication often values indirectness and nuance in casual settings, whereas 「であれ〜であれ」 is very direct and all-encompassing. Therefore, a native speaker would immediately recognize its elevated register and understand that the speaker is delivering a significant, carefully considered statement.
JLPT Tips
When preparing for the JLPT N1 exam, mastering 「であれ〜であれ」 necessitates understanding its formality, structure, and nuanced usage. Consider these key tips:
First, always remember that this pattern primarily connects two nouns or noun phrases. If you encounter it used directly with verbs or adjectives, it's likely a distractor or indicates a need for a different grammar point. Identify the two parallel noun concepts it links, which frequently represent contrasting or comprehensive categories (e.g., 大人と子供 - adults and children, 晴天と雨天 - clear weather and rainy weather).
Second, recognize its formal and emphatic tone. 「であれ〜であれ」 is used to state a universal truth or an unwavering principle. In reading comprehension, if you encounter this phrase, understand that the author is presenting a strong, generalized assertion with universal application. This can reveal the passage's main point or conclusion.
Third, pay close attention to the statement that follows the 「であれ〜であれ」 clause. This concluding statement is the core message that remains true irrespective of the preceding conditions. Grasping this final part is essential for accurate interpretation of the entire sentence.
Fourth, differentiate it from similar grammar points like 「～でも～でも」, 「～にしろ～にしろ」, and 「～であろうと～であろうと」. While they convey similar "whether... or..." meanings, they vary in formality, flexibility in attachment (the parts of speech they can connect to), and subtle nuances. Among these, 「であれ〜であれ」 is typically the most formal and restricted to nouns. Practice transforming sentences between these patterns to reinforce your understanding of their distinct uses.
Finally, practice with various example sentences to internalize its usage. The more you read and hear this pattern in context, particularly in N1-level materials such as news articles or essays, the more natural its meaning and application will become. Look for situations where a universal rule or principle is established through encompassing two contrasting or exhaustive options.