# ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと: no matter; whether; even if [A] or [B]

> Learn how to use ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと, a JLPT N1 grammar meaning no matter whether A or B, with formation, nuance, examples, and comparisons.

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

**ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと** means **no matter; whether; even if [A] or [B]**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that regardless of two contrasting or extreme alternatives, the result remains the same.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, speeches, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to state that something is certain or someone’s resolve is unmoved no matter which extreme occurs, **ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと** is indispensable for natural, emphatic Japanese.

## What does ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと mean?

Use **ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと** when you want to say that **regardless of two extreme possibilities, the outcome, judgement, or resolution is unchanged**. The two alternatives are placed in contrast, often covering the entire range of possibilities (for example, success or failure, rich or poor, rain or hail).

Natural translations include:
- no matter whether … or …
- even if … or …
- whether … or …
- regardless of whether …

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to feel the speaker’s determination or the inevitability first, then choose the English phrase that matches that tone.

## How to form ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと

The pattern combines the volitional form of a verb (or equivalent forms for adjectives and nouns) with the particles **が** or **と**, repeated for two alternatives. Both **が** and **と** have exactly the same meaning; the choice is stylistic.

<div class="formation">
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="fplus">Verb volitional</span> <span class="fplus">+ が / と</span> <span class="farrow"> ～ </span> <span class="fplus">Verb volitional</span> <span class="fplus">+ が / と</span>
  </div>
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="fplus">い-adjective stem</span> <span class="fplus">+ かろうが / かろうと</span> <span class="farrow"> ～ </span> <span class="fplus">い-adjective stem</span> <span class="fplus">+ かろうが / かろうと</span>
  </div>
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="fplus">な-adjective</span> <span class="fplus">+ だろうが / だろうと</span> <span class="farrow"> ～ </span> <span class="fplus">な-adjective</span> <span class="fplus">+ だろうが / だろうと</span>
  </div>
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="fplus">Noun</span> <span class="fplus">+ だろうが / だろうと</span> <span class="farrow"> ～ </span> <span class="fplus">Noun</span> <span class="fplus">+ だろうが / だろうと</span>
  </div>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- <span class="furi">行{い}こうが行{い}くまいが</span> (whether you go or not)
- <span class="furi">高{たか}かろうが安{やす}かろうが</span> (whether it’s expensive or cheap)
- <span class="furi">快適{かいてき}だろうが不便{ふべき}だろうが</span> (whether comfortable or inconvenient)
- <span class="furi">雨{あめ}だろうが風{かぜ}だろうが</span> (whether rain or wind)

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, answer choices often pair a correct volitional with an incorrect plain form. Make sure you use the volitional (<ruby>意向<rp>(</rp><rt>いこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>形<rp>(</rp><rt>けい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) for verbs and the ～かろう / ～だろう forms for adjectives and nouns.

## When is ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと used?

Use **ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと** in situations like:
- expressing unwavering determination (“I’ll do this no matter what”)
- showing that a consequence or judgement is inevitable regardless of extremes
- making a sweeping statement that covers all possibilities
- adding rhetorical weight to formal or emotional speech

Tone and register:
- formal to emphatic, often found in writing, speeches, and dramatic dialogue
- can sound rigid or proud in casual conversation, but still understandable
- Common in test questions, opinion essays, editorials, and JLPT N1 reading

## ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと example sentences

Here are sentences that show the pattern in action. Notice how the two alternatives create a contrast that makes the following statement feel absolute.

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>雨<rt>あめ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>降<rt>ふ</rt></ruby>ろうが<ruby>槍<rt>やり</rt></ruby>が<ruby>降<rt>ふ</rt></ruby>ろうが、<ruby>試合<rt>しあい</rt></ruby>は<ruby>決行<rt>けっこう</rt></ruby>する。</div>
    <div class="example-en">No matter whether it rains or whether spears fall, we’ll go ahead with the match.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">determination</span>
      <span class="example-tag">formal</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>高<rt>たか</rt></ruby>かろうが<ruby>安<rt>やす</rt></ruby>かろうが、<ruby>品質<rt>ひんしつ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>一番<rt>いちばん</rt></ruby>だ。</div>
    <div class="example-en">Whether it’s expensive or cheap, quality is what matters most.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">judgement</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>来<rt>こ</rt></ruby>ようが<ruby>来<rt>こ</rt></ruby>まいが、<ruby>会議<rt>かいぎ</rt></ruby>を<ruby>始<rt>はじ</rt></ruby>めます。</div>
    <div class="example-en">Whether he comes or not, we will start the meeting.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">inevitability</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>成功<rt>せいこう</rt></ruby>しようが<ruby>失敗<rt>しっぱい</rt></ruby>しようが、やってみることが<ruby>大事<rt>だいじ</rt></ruby>だ。</div>
    <div class="example-en">Whether you succeed or fail, trying is what counts.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">encouragement</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp"><ruby>貧乏<rt>びんぼう</rt></ruby>だろうが<ruby>金持<rt>かねも</rt></ruby>ちだろうが、<ruby>人<rt>ひと</rt></ruby>の<ruby>価値<rt>かち</rt></ruby>は<ruby>変<rt>か</rt></ruby>わらない。</div>
    <div class="example-en">Whether you’re poor or rich, a person’s worth doesn’t change.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">opinion</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what job **ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと** is doing: covering two extremes to make the following statement absolute. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one‑word translation.

## Nuance of ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと

The key nuance is **“regardless of two extremes, the result or attitude is unchanged — it’s final, unwavering, and often dramatic.”**

This matters because learners often reduce the pattern to “even if A or B” and miss the psychological weight. A sentence with **ようが～ようが** doesn’t just list alternatives; it projects a sense of defiance, resignation, or an unshakeable law.

For example:
- Saying <ruby>雨<rt>あめ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>降<rt>ふ</rt></ruby>ろうが<ruby>槍<rt>やり</rt></ruby>が<ruby>降<rt>ふ</rt></ruby>ろうが evokes an image of extreme, almost impossible obstacles — far stronger than “even if it rains or even if it hails.”
- In formal prose, it can sound like a rhetorical flourish, while in everyday chat it might come across as obstinate or overly dramatic, so choose the register carefully.
- The pattern often implies that the speaker has already considered every possibility and dismisses them all.

## ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと vs ようが～ようと

Both patterns express exactly the same idea — no matter A or B — but the second mixes the particles **が** and **と** instead of repeating one. The difference is purely stylistic; there is no change in meaning, nuance, or formality.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head">ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Repeated particle: が‑が or と‑と</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>降ろう<rp>(</rp><rt>ふろう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>槍<rp>(</rp><rt>やり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>降ろう<rp>(</rp><rt>ふろう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">No matter whether it rains or whether spears fall</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">vs</div>
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head"><a href="/blog/n1-you-ga-you-to/">ようが～ようと</a></div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Mixed particles: が‑と</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>降ろう<rp>(</rp><rt>ふろう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>槍<rp>(</rp><rt>やり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>降ろう<rp>(</rp><rt>ふろう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>と</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">No matter whether it rains or whether spears fall</div>
  </div>
</div>

In practice, you can use whichever feels natural. The pure repetition (が‑が, と‑と) sounds slightly more rhythmic, while the mixed version can soften the rhythm. Both appear on the JLPT N1, so you should be able to recognize both.

## Common mistakes with ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと

Watch out for these mistakes:

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>雨<rt>あめ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>降<rt>ふ</rt></ruby>るが<ruby>風<rt>かぜ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>吹<rt>ふく</rt></ruby>が、<ruby>出発<rt>しゅっぱつ</rt></ruby>する。</span>
      <span class="note">Plain forms instead of volitional forms</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>雨<rt>あめ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>降<rt>ふ</rt></ruby>ろうが<ruby>風<rt>かぜ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>吹<rt>ふ</rt></ruby>こうが、<ruby>出発<rt>しゅっぱつ</rt></ruby>する。</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>来<rt>く</rt></ruby>るなら<ruby>来<rt>く</rt></ruby>るなら、<ruby>始<rt>はじ</rt></ruby>まる。</span>
      <span class="note">Mixed grammar pattern; なら cannot replace volitional + が/と</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>来<rt>こ</rt></ruby>ようが<ruby>来<rt>こ</rt></ruby>まいが、<ruby>始<rt>はじ</rt></ruby>める。</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>高<rt>たか</rt></ruby>いが<ruby>安<rt>やす</rt></ruby>いが、<ruby>買<rt>か</rt></ruby>う。</span>
      <span class="note">Using い‑adjective plain form directly with が</span>
    </div>
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>高<rt>たか</rt></ruby>かろうが<ruby>安<rt>やす</rt></ruby>かろうが、<ruby>買<rt>か</rt></ruby>う。</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

A helpful practice method is to write a sentence with **ようが～ようが**, then rewrite it with **にしても～にしても**. If the determination or finality feels weaker, you’ll understand the exact weight this pattern carries.

## Is ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと on the JLPT?

Yes. **ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと** is commonly taught as **JLPT N1** grammar.

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <div class="jlpt-checks">
      <span>📘 Reading: often appears in <ruby>主張<rp>(</rp><rt>しゅちょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>文<rp>(</rp><rt>ぶん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> and <ruby>随筆<rp>(</rp><rt>ずいひつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> passages</span>
      <span>🎧 Listening: rare, but may appear in dramatic or rhetorical lines</span>
      <span>✍️ Grammar section: tested as sentence ordering or particle choice</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, pay attention to the two parallel volitional forms and the following assertion. JLPT questions often test whether you can spot the pair of alternatives and choose the correct particle.

## Practice questions for ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">1</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Use ようが～ようが to express that no matter whether you are busy or free, you will finish the project by Friday.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">determination</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">2</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Write a sentence where the two extremes are “fast” and “slow” for a method, using ～かろうが～かろうが (い‑adjective form).</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">adjective form</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">3</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Compare ようが～ようが with にしても～にしても using your own example. Does the nuance change?</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">comparison</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">4</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Create a sentence where the two alternatives are “good” and “bad” and the conclusion is that you will still do it.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">opinion</div>
  </div>
</div>

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the dramatic tone comes through.

## Learning path for ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと

To learn **ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">1</div>
    <div class="step-body">Make sure you can form the volitional (<ruby>意向<rp>(</rp><rt>いこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>形<rp>(</rp><rt>けい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) of any verb, and the ～かろう / ～だろう equivalents for adjectives and nouns, without hesitation.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">2</div>
    <div class="step-body">Compare it with <a href="/blog/n1-you-ga-you-to/">ようが～ようと</a>. Practice reading both variants aloud to absorb their rhythm — this will help recognition in listening and reading tests.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">3</div>
    <div class="step-body">Write sentences where the pair of alternatives are real extremes (e.g., “rain or hail,” “success or failure”) so that the finality of the pattern stands out.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">4</div>
    <div class="step-body">Finally, try replacing your sentence with <span class="furi">にしても～にしても</span> or <span class="furi">であれ～であれ</span>. If the replacement feels less emphatic, you’ve internalized the weight of this pattern.</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [ようが～ようと](/blog/n1-you-ga-you-to/) — the mixed‑particle variant; no difference in meaning, but mastering both increases your flexibility.
- [ようによっては / ようでは](/blog/n1-you-ni-yotte-wa-you-dewa/) — uses よう in conditional and evaluative senses, extending your understanding of よう‑based patterns.
- [ようにも～ない](/blog/n1-you-nimo-nai/) — expresses “cannot … even though one tries,” sharing the volitional base but pointing to impossibility.
- [ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが](/blog/n1-you-to-mai-to-you-ga-mai-ga/) — contrasts a volitional with まい to say “whether or not,” a close relative worth studying together.

## Learn ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと with Hane

If you want to review **ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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