# いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ: anyhow; anyway; either way; in any case ~ > Learn how to use いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning anyhow, anyway, either way, in any case, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-izure-ni-shitemo-izure-ni-shiro-izure-ni-seyo/ **いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ** means **anyhow; anyway; either way; in any case ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to state that a conclusion or situation remains the same regardless of which option is chosen. This grammar point often appears in arguments, discussions, essays, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to dismiss alternatives and assert an unchanging outcome, **いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ** is a powerful pattern to learn because it makes your Japanese sound decisive and natural.
いずれにしても、結果(けっか)は同じ(おなじ)だ。
Either way, the result is the same.
## What does いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ mean? Use **いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ** when you want to say that a particular conclusion or situation does not change, regardless of which alternative you consider. The three forms are interchangeable; **いずれにせよ** is slightly more literary, while **いずれにしろ** is more colloquial, and **いずれにしても** sits in the middle. Natural translations include: - anyhow; anyway; either way; in any case ~ The best translation depends on the sentence. Notice whether the speaker is dismissing two clear alternatives, acknowledging multiple possibilities, or simply wrapping up an argument—then choose the English phrase that fits that context. ## How to form いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ These are fixed expressions that do not conjugate. They can appear at the beginning of a sentence, after a comma, or after a full stop to link two sentences.
（AかBか、） いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ 、結論(けつろん)。
- Often the preceding clause mentions two or more alternatives. - The phrase can stand alone as a topic marker at the head of a sentence. ## When is いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ used? Use **いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ** in situations like: - dismissing alternatives to emphasize an unchanging result - wrapping up a discussion where the outcome doesn’t depend on the choice - expressing resignation or determination regardless of the circumstances Tone and register: - neutral to slightly formal; **いずれにしろ** leans toward casual speech, **いずれにせよ** toward formal writing - Common in test questions, debates, summary statements, and JLPT N1 reading ## いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ example sentences
賛成さんせいか反対はんたいか、いずれにしても決定けっていしなければならない。
Whether you agree or disagree, we have to decide either way.
formal
行いくかどうか、迷まよっているけど、いずれにしろ連絡れんらくはするよ。
I’m still unsure whether I’ll go, but either way I’ll let you know.
casual
結果けっかがどうであれ、いずれにせよ努力どりょくしたことは無駄むだではない。
Whatever the result is, in any case the effort was not wasted.
written
この問題もんだいは難むずかしいが、いずれにしろ解決かいけつしなければならない。
This problem is difficult, but either way we have to solve it.
opinion
資料しりょうを集あつめるにしても、いずれにしても時間じかんがかかる。
Even if we collect materials, either way it will take time.
neutral
After reading each sentence, ask what job **いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ** is doing: dismissing alternatives to focus on an unchanging outcome. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ The key nuance is **regardless of which alternative, the core conclusion stands**. The speaker is not interested in the details of the option; they want to underscore that the final situation or the speaker’s position remains unchanged. Compared with a simple “anyway,” these phrases explicitly acknowledge at least two concrete possibilities. That gives the statement a sense of having considered alternatives before reaching a final stance—useful for sounding logical and decisive in Japanese. For example, in a debate, using いずれにしても shows you’ve weighed the pros and cons, but your conclusion is firm. In everyday talk, いずれにしろ adds a casual “whatever” touch without being rude.
💡
When you remove the alternatives, the phrase loses its force. Use it only when you have at least two distinct options in mind, even if they are implied from context.
## いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ vs とにかく Both **いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ** and **とにかく** can be translated as “anyway,” but they are used differently. **いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ**: - explicitly refers to two or more alternatives, then dismisses them to state an unchanging result - suitable when options have been mentioned or implied **とにかく**: - means “anyway” or “at any rate,” and shifts the topic without necessarily weighing specific alternatives - often used to change the subject or to say “in any case, let’s do this first”
いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ
focus on alternatives
when dismissing two or more clear choices
賛成(さんせい)か反対(はんたい)か、いずれにしても決定(けってい)しなければ。
Whether you agree or disagree, we have to decide either way.
とにかく
general “anyway”
when moving forward without analyzing options
とにかく始め(はじめ)ましょう。
Anyway, let’s get started.
If both seem possible, check whether the sentence explicitly contrasts choices. If it does, use **いずれにしても**. If it simply advances the conversation, **とにかく** is more natural. ## Common mistakes with いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ Watch out for these mistakes:
❌ 試験(しけん)が難しい(むずかしい)から、いずれにしても合格(ごうかく)できない。
✅ 試験(しけん)が難しい(むずかしい)から、どちらにしても合格(ごうかく)できないかもしれない。
This sentence lists only one reason; the grammar expects at least two alternatives. To fix it, add a second option (“whether I study or not”) or switch to a simpler “だから” pattern.
❌ いずれにせよ、今日(きょう)は休もう(やすもう)。
✅ とにかく、今日(きょう)は休もう(やすもう)。
Without any prior alternatives in the discourse, いずれにせよ sounds abrupt. Use とにかく for a standalone “anyway” to change the subject.
❌ 彼(かれ)が来る(くる)かどうか、いずれにせよ、準備(じゅんび)はしてある。
✅ 彼(かれ)が来る(くる)かどうか、いずれにしても準備(じゅんび)はしてある。
While not strictly wrong, いずれにせよ sounds stiff in a casual mixed-register sentence. Match the register: いずれにしろ for casual, いずれにせよ for formal or written.
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **いずれにしても**, then rewrite it with **とにかく**. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words. ## Is いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ on the JLPT?
N1

Yes. いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ is commonly taught as JLPT N1 grammar.

✔ recognize it in reading
✔ understand its nuance in context
✔ use it in original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT N1 questions often test whether you can identify the logical relationship between alternatives and conclusion, not just the dictionary meaning.

## Practice questions for いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
1
Give two options (e.g., 雨(あめ)でも晴れ(はれ)でも) and then use いずれにしても to state that the plan will go ahead.
alternatives
2
Write a sentence where the nuance of dismissing alternatives is necessary to make a convincing point.
nuance
3
Compare いずれにしても with とにかく in your own example. Explain why one works and the other doesn’t.
comparison
4
Use いずれにせよ in a short written statement, as if in a formal report.
register
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear. ## Learning path for いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ To learn **いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ** efficiently, start with its meaning, then compare it with a similar pattern, and finally practice in context.
1
Memorize the three forms and their differences in register (spoken しろ, written せよ, neutral しても).
2
Collect 3–5 example sentences from JLPT materials and highlight the alternatives in each.
3
Compare it with とにかく. Write pairs of sentences showing when each is appropriate.
4
Produce 3 original sentences—one casual, one neutral, one formal—making sure each includes clear alternatives.
5
Swap your sentences with a study partner or tutor; discuss whether とにかく would change the nuance.
## Related grammar to review next - [いずれにしても](/blog/n1-izure-ni-shite-mo/) — since it is one of the three forms covered here, reviewing the standalone entry can help you anchor its usage. - [じみた](/blog/n1-jimita/) — because it also adds a sense of finality or resignation, often to express that something looks or feels inevitable. - [か否(いな)か](/blog/n1-ka-ina-ka/) — because it explicitly presents two alternatives (whether or not), a natural lead-in to いずれにしても. - [如何に(いかに)も](/blog/n1-ikani-mo/) — because it adds an “indeed” emphasis, which combines well with “in any case” statements when arguing a point. ## Learn いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ with Hane If you want to review **いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ** 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/)