# であれ / であろうと: whoever; whatever; however; even ~

> Learn how to use であれ and であろうと, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning whoever, whatever, even, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-de-are-de-arou-to/

**であれ / であろうと** means **whoever; whatever; however; even ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that a result holds true regardless of the condition — "even if X is the case."

This grammar point often appears in formal writing, speeches, essays, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to express that something is unconditional — no matter who or what the situation is — **であれ / であろうと** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds a strong, decisive tone to your Japanese.

## What does であれ / であろうと mean?

Use **であれ / であろうと** when you want to say that something remains true, acceptable, or necessary **no matter what the specific condition is**. It marks a hypothetical or extreme case and insists that the result does not change.

Natural translations include:
- whoever; whatever; however; no matter what; even if (it is) ~

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to feel the speaker's insistence that the outcome is unaffected by circumstances.

## How to form であれ / であろうと

Attaches directly to nouns and な-adjective stems. Both forms are interchangeable in meaning; であろうと sounds slightly more formal and emphatic.

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun / な-adj stem</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">であれ</span>
  <span class="farrow">or</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">であろうと</span>
</div>
<div class="formula">
  <p><ruby>誰<rp>(</rp><rt>だれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong>であれ</strong>／<ruby>誰<rp>(</rp><rt>だれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong>であろうと</strong>（whoever）</p>
  <p>たとえ<ruby>困難<rp>(</rp><rt>こんなん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong>であれ</strong>／<ruby>困難<rp>(</rp><rt>こんなん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong>であろうと</strong>（even if it’s a hardship）</p>
</div>

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often mix up であれ with similar-sounding endings (e.g., であると, であっても) that change the nuance.

## When is であれ / であろうと used?

Use **であれ / であろうと** in situations like:
- stating a principle that applies without exceptions
- emphasizing that the speaker’s determination or judgment is unwavering
- formal written arguments, rules, or moral declarations
- contrasting an extreme condition with an unchanged result

Tone and register:
- formal to literary; common in essays, speeches, and test reading passages.
- Rare in casual daily chat — there you’d use でも or たとえ〜ても.

<div class="note-callout">
  <span class="note-icon">💡</span>
  <div class="note-body">
    If you see <strong>たとえ〜であれ</strong> or <strong>いかなる〜であれ</strong>, the writer is setting up a high-bar condition that still doesn’t change the outcome. This is a favorite device in N1 reading.
  </div>
</div>

## であれ / であろうと example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>誰<rp>(</rp><rt>だれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であれ、<ruby>規則<rp>(</rp><rt>きそく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>守<rp>(</rp><rt>まも</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>らなければならない。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">Whoever you are, you must obey the rules.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">formal</span>
      <span class="example-tag">principle</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      たとえ<ruby>相手<rp>(</rp><rt>あいて</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>社長<rp>(</rp><rt>しゃちょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であろうと、<ruby>間違<rp>(</rp><rt>まちが</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>いは<ruby>指摘<rp>(</rp><rt>してき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>すべきだ。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">Even if the other person is the company president, you should point out their mistakes.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">たとえ～ても equivalent</span>
      <span class="example-tag">assertive</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>結果<rp>(</rp><rt>けっか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がどうであれ、<ruby>努力<rp>(</rp><rt>どりょく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した<ruby>事実<rp>(</rp><rt>じじつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>消<rp>(</rp><rt>き</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>えない。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">Whatever the result may be, the fact that you made an effort won't disappear.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">encouragement</span>
      <span class="example-tag">どう〜であれ</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>理由<rp>(</rp><rt>りゆう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>何<rp>(</rp><rt>なに</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であろうと、<ruby>遅刻<rp>(</rp><rt>ちこく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>遅刻<rp>(</rp><rt>ちこく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">No matter what the reason, lateness is lateness.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">strict</span>
      <span class="example-tag"><ruby>何<rp>(</rp><rt>なん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であろうと</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      いかなる<ruby>困難<rp>(</rp><rt>こんなん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であれ、<ruby>諦<rp>(</rp><rt>あきら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>めない<ruby>覚悟<rp>(</rp><rt>かくご</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">No matter the difficulty, I am resolved not to give up.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">いかなる〜であれ</span>
      <span class="example-tag">determination</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

After reading, ask what job **であれ / であろうと** is doing: marking a condition whose specifics don’t affect the main statement. That understanding helps beyond one-word translations.

## Nuance of であれ / であろうと

The key nuance is **unconditionality with a formal, definitive tone**. It doesn’t just say “even if”; it declares that no variation in the condition can alter the truth.

- **であれ** is the imperative form of である turned into a concessive conjunction — it has a weighty, literary feel.
- **であろうと** adds the volitional あろう (presumptive) + と, emphasizing the hypothetical nature, often paired with たとえ.
- Both imply that the result is inevitable, necessary, or a principle. They pack more punch than でも.

In N1 contexts, this pattern often appears with words like いかなる (any), たとえ (even if), <ruby>誰<rp>(</rp><rt>だれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>何<rp>(</rp><rt>なん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, どう etc., to create sweeping generalizations.

## であれ / であろうと vs であれ〜であれ

Both patterns start with であれ, but the usage diverges.

| | であれ／であろうと | であれ〜であれ |
|---|---|---|
| **Meaning** | Even if A, still … (single condition) | Whether A or B (listing alternatives) |
| **Structure** | A であれ、(main clause) | A であれ B であれ、(main clause) |
| **Tone** | Emphasis on unconditionality | Emphasis on covering options |
| **Examples** | たとえ<ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であれ<ruby>意見<rp>(</rp><rt>いけん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>言う<rp>(</rp><rt>ゆう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>べきだ<br>Even if there is opposition, you should voice your opinion. | <ruby>賛成<rp>(</rp><rt>さんせい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であれ<ruby>反対<rp>(</rp><rt>はんたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であれ、まずは<ruby>話<rp>(</rp><rt>はなし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>聞く<rp>(</rp><rt>きく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>べきだ<br>Whether you agree or disagree, you should first hear them out. |

If you see a single condition, you’re likely dealing with **であれ** (as in this lesson). If you see a pair of items, it’s the “whether A or B” pattern, which you can study further at [であれ〜であれ](/blog/n1-de-are-de-are/).

## Common mistakes with であれ / であろうと

- **Using it in casual conversation.** In everyday speech, たとえ〜でも or 〜だろうと（e.g., <ruby>誰<rp>(</rp><rt>だれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だろうと）is far more natural. であれ is stiff.
- **Forgetting that であれ attaches to nouns/na-adjective stems, not to dictionary forms of verbs.** For verbs, you need 〜ようと or 〜であっても.
- **Confusing であろうと with the simple volitional だろう (as in 〜だろうに).** であろうと is a concessive, not a guess about something.
- **Treating であれ as interchangeable with であれば. ** であれ means “even if it is”; であれば means “if it is” — a huge functional difference.

A quick check: if you can replace the clause with “no matter who/what” and the sentence still works, であれ / であろうと is appropriate.

## Is であれ / であろうと on the JLPT?

Yes. **であれ / であろうと** is a staple of the N1 reading and grammar sections.

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it when reading formal arguments or essays.
- distinguish it from paired であれ〜であれ patterns.
- infer the meaning even if the exact phrasing is unfamiliar.

For test preparation, pay attention to the rigid sentence structures: “たとえN1 であれ、N2 …” or “<ruby>疑問<rp>(</rp><rt>ぎもん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>詞<rp>(</rp><rt>し</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>＋であれ …”. In N1 questions, they often test whether you can choose であれ over であっても or であるなら in a formal context.

## Practice questions for であれ / であろうと

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write a rule that applies to everyone, using <ruby>誰<rp>(</rp><rt>だれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であれ.
- Write a motivational statement about not giving up, regardless of the reason, using <ruby>何<rp>(</rp><rt>なん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であろうと.
- Compare the nuance of “たとえ<ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であれ<ruby>行く<rp>(</rp><rt>いく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>” vs. “<ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>であろうと<ruby>行く<rp>(</rp><rt>いく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>”. (Hint: almost the same, but the latter adds a touch of “even if it turns out to be rain.”)

If you want to self-test, take a formal sentence and swap the condition with a more extreme example while keeping the main clause identical. Does it still feel natural? If yes, you’ve mastered the unconditional tone.

## Learning path for であれ / であろうと

To learn **であれ / であろうと** efficiently, build up from the core pattern.
1. **Start with the formation**: Noun＋であれ／であろうと. Practice with common words like <ruby>誰<rp>(</rp><rt>だれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>何<rp>(</rp><rt>なん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, いかなる.
2. **Compare it with** [であれ〜であれ](/blog/n1-de-are-de-are/) to feel the difference between one condition and multiple options.
3. **Read formal articles or N1 passages**. Underline every であれ/であろうと and check if the clause after it expresses a universal rule.
4. **Write your own principles** using いかなるN1であれ, S2. Then test whether replacing であれ with でも would make the sentence less formal but still grammatical. Awareness of register helps in the test.

## Related grammar to review next

- [であれ〜であれ](/blog/n1-de-are-de-are/) — because it also uses であれ but pairs options, showing the contrast between single and repeated pattern.
- [でもあり〜でもある](/blog/n1-demo-ari-demo-aru/) — because it also covers dual aspects, often confused with “whether A or B” structures.
- [でもなんでもないくもなんともない](/blog/n1-demo-nan-demo-nai-kumo-nan-tomo-nai/) — because it deals with extreme negative statements, complementing the unconditional nuance.
- [だろうに](/blog/n1-darou-ni/) — because it uses the volitional form in a concessive-like expression, helping you distinguish different uses of だろう.

## Learn であれ / であろうと with Hane

If you want to review **であれ / であろうと** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)