# が/も～なら、～も～だ: like father, like son; both are equally bad > Learn が/も～なら、～も～だ, a JLPT N1 grammar point meaning 'like father, like son' – expressing that two people or things share the same negative trait, with examples, nuance, comparisons, and practice. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-ga-mo-nara-mo-da/ **が/も～なら、～も～だ** means **like father, like son; both are equally bad**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to criticise two parties by linking their shared undesirable traits in one sentence. This grammar point often appears in commentary, editorials, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to express that one side is no better than the other — or that a situation is rotten all around — **が/も～なら、～も～だ** is a useful pattern to learn because it packs a strong, disapproving punch into one compact structure. ## What does が/も～なら、～も～だ mean? Use **が/も～なら、～も～だ** when you want to say that two people, groups, or things are equally bad, hypocritical, or disappointing. It’s the grammar behind the English “like father, like son” or “just as one is terrible, so is the other.” Natural translations include: - like (A), like (B); both are equally bad - if (A) is like that, (B) is no different - it takes one to know one (in context) The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s critical stance first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context. ## How to form が/も～なら、～も～だ There are two core patterns. The first is the classic set‑phrase style — you repeat the same noun for both parties.
親(おや) も 親(おや) なら → 子(こ) も 子(こ) だ
Formula: **N1 も N1 なら、N2 も N2 だ** The second pattern uses **が** to present a condition, then mirrors it with **も** on the other side. It’s more flexible and can be used with clauses.
上司(じょうし) が そんな 態度(たいど) なら → 部下(ぶか) も 同じ(おなじ) だ
Formula: **N1 が clause なら、N2 も … だ** Both forms attach **なら** to the condition half and close with **だ** (or **です** / **である**). The form before the grammar point matters — the first noun is repeated or followed by a clause. In JLPT questions, wrong answer choices often try to use similar‑looking patterns like **ても** or **ば** incorrectly. ## When is が/も～なら、～も～だ used? Use **が/も～なら、～も～だ** in situations like: - criticising two people who are each as bad as the other - pointing out hypocrisy or a double standard - describing a situation where no side is blameless Tone and register: - strong, often a rebuke; used in formal speech, essays, and social commentary - appears in JLPT N1 reading, particularly in opinion pieces and fictional dialogue where a character is moralising or complaining It’s rarely used in casual, friendly chat unless you’re making a pointed remark. ## が/も～なら、～も～だ example sentences
親おやも親おやなら、子こも子こだ。
Like father, like son. (Both are equally bad.)
proverb negative
夫おっとも夫おっとなら、妻つまも妻つまだ。どちらも自分じぶんの非ひを認みとめない。
The husband is no better than the wife — neither will admit their own fault.
criticism marriage
教師きょうしも教師きょうしなら、生徒せいとも生徒せいとだ。授業中じゅぎょうちゅうにスマホを触さわっている。
The teacher is just as bad as the students — everyone’s on their phones during class.
school irony
上司じょうしがあんなに無責任むせきにんなら、部下ぶかも同おなじだ。
If the boss is that irresponsible, no wonder the subordinates are the same.
workplace condition
政治家せいじかが嘘うそを繰くり返かえすなら、国民こくみんも信しんじ続つづけるほうが悪わるい。
If a politician keeps lying, then the public is equally at fault for continuing to believe him.
society opinion
After reading each sentence, ask what job **が/も～なら、～も～だ** is doing: tying two parties together under the same negative judgement. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one‑word translation. ## Nuance of が/も～なら、～も～だ The key nuance is **no one side is better than the other — both are equally disappointing, hypocritical, or at fault**. It’s rarely a neutral observation. The speaker is usually exasperated, moralising, or delivering a scathing critique. This matters because learners sometimes treat it as a simple parallel structure ("both A and B"). But the pattern carries an intrinsic negative charge. You wouldn’t use it to say “both the cake and the tea are delicious.” Use it only when implying that both things are rotten somehow. - The **も〜なら** form (repeating the noun) is the strongest — almost a set phrase of condemnation. - The **が clause なら** form is slightly less fixed but still loaded with the sense that one person’s bad behaviour explains or mirrors the other’s. ## が/も～なら、～も～だ vs ～といい、～といい Both **が/も～なら、～も～だ** and **～といい、～といい** can be used to point out negative qualities, but their structures and nuance differ.
が/も～なら、～も～だ
If A is bad, B is equally bad
Used to criticise two parties by linking their faults conditionally. Often appears in proverbs and sharp remarks.
親(おや)も親(おや)なら、子(こ)も子(こ)だ。
Like father, like son — both are bad.
vs
～といい、～といい
Both A and B are bad
Lists two negative aspects of the *same* thing or person, without any conditional link. No “if… then” logic.
あの店(みせ)は、味(あじ)といい、サービスといい、最悪(さいあく)だ。
That shop is terrible, whether it’s the taste or the service.
If both translations seem possible, check the logic. **が/も～なら、～も～だ** needs two separate parties and a sense of mirrored fault; **～といい、～といい** stays with one target and simply piles on complaints. ## Common mistakes with が/も～なら、～も～だ
❌
このケーキもケーキなら、あのクッキーもクッキーだ。
✅
このケーキもあのクッキーもおいしい。
Why the ❌ is wrong: が/も〜なら、〜も〜だ is for *negative* traits. Calling cake and cookies “good” with this pattern sounds absurd — it’s like saying “the cake is criminal, and so are the cookies.” Use a neutral parallel expression instead.
❌
社長(しゃちょう)が厳しい(きびしい)なら、社員(しゃいん)も社員(しゃいん)だ。
✅
社長(しゃちょう)があれだけ厳しい(きびしい)なら、社員(しゃいん)も大変(たいへん)だろう。
Why the ❌ is wrong: After the が〜なら part, the second half must mirror the negative judgement. Using 社員(しゃいん)も社員(しゃいん)だ without context implies the employees are bad *because* of the boss’s strictness, which isn’t logical. Finish with a clause that reflects the consequence, not a repeated noun.
❌
先生(せんせい)が来(こ)なかったので、生徒(せいと)も来(こ)なかった。
✅
先生(せんせい)も先生(せんせい)なら、生徒(せいと)も生徒(せいと)だ。
Why the ❌ is wrong: A plain ので‑cause sentence lacks the critical edge. By saying “先生(せんせい)も先生(せんせい)なら、生徒(せいと)も生徒(せいと)だ” you convey that both are equally irresponsible — not just that one absence caused another.
## Is が/も～なら、～も～だ on the JLPT?
N1

Level: JLPT N1

Frequency: moderate — appears in reading comprehension and grammar sections, often as a proverb or in a critical passage.

## Practice questions for が/も～なら、～も～だ
1
Use も～なら、～も～だ to describe a time when both a teacher and a student were behaving badly.
school
2
Write a sentence with が/も～なら、～も～だ about a sports team where the coach and players share the same bad attitude.
sports
3
Compare が/も～なら、～も～だ with ～といい、～といい in two original sentences about a restaurant experience.
comparison
4
Try the が clause なら form: create a sentence about a company where the president’s behaviour excuses the employees’ similar conduct.
business
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the judgement becomes clear. ## Learning path for が/も～なら、～も～だ To learn **が/も～なら、～も～だ** efficiently, start with the set‑phrase version, then explore the more flexible clause form, and finally contrast it with a similar pattern.
1
Memorise the classic 親(おや)も親(おや)なら、子(こ)も子(こ)だ and two other noun‑repetition examples. Say them aloud until the rhythm sticks.
2
Create three original sentences using the が clause なら pattern. Make sure the second half clearly mirrors the negative trait from the first.
3
Contrast it with ～といい、～といい — write a paragraph where both grammar points could appear, then explain why you chose one over the other.
4
Find an editorial or a novel excerpt that uses this pattern (search 親(おや)も親(おや)なら or 上司(じょうし)が…なら). Read it in context to feel the critical tone.
5
Finally, write a short opinion essay about a current event, deliberately using が/も～なら、～も～だ at least once. Check with a native speaker or teacher.
## Related grammar to review next - [が早い(はやい)か](/blog/n1-ga-hayai-ka/) — because it also expresses a quick, tight connection between two events, useful when criticising snap reactions - [がましい](/blog/n1-gamashii/) — because it attaches a negative or ironic “‑like” feel to words, similar to the judgemental tone here - [がてら](/blog/n1-gatera/) — because it shows how one action is done alongside another; understanding that parallel structure helps you recognise when a pattern is meant to be critical vs. incidental - [どうにも〜ない](/blog/n1-dou-nimo-nai/) — because it conveys hopelessness and fault, often pairing well with が/も～なら、～も～だ in opinion writing ## Learn が/も～なら、～も～だ with Hane If you want to review **が/も～なら、～も～だ** 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/)