# ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが: whether or not; regardless

> Learn how to use ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning whether or not; regardless, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

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

**ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが** means **whether or not; regardless**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something holds true no matter whether an action is taken or not — a statement of firm determination or inevitable fact.

<div class="pullquote">
Whether you go or not, the outcome doesn't change.
</div>

This grammar point appears most often in formal or emphatic statements, but you’ll spot it in spoken Japanese too when someone wants to drive a point home. If you need to say "regardless of whether X happens, Y will happen," this is the pattern that delivers that weight.

## What does ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが mean?

Use **ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが** when you want to express that **an outcome will stay the same regardless of whether a certain action is performed or not** — in other words, "whether or not X, Y stands."

Natural translations include:
- whether or not
- regardless of whether … or not
- no matter if … or not

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer's or speaker's purpose first — are they stating a fact, making a resolution, or dismissing a possibility? — then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

## How to form ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが

The pattern uses the **volitional form** (<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 a verb followed by **と** or **が**, then the same verb in dictionary form plus **まい**, and finally another **と** or **が**. It always sandwiches a single verb, once in its "let's do" shape and once with the negative-volitional helper まい.

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Verb (volitional)</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">と / が</span>
</div>
<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-core">same Verb (dictionary)</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">まい</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">と / が</span>
</div>

Conjugation for まい:
- <ruby>五<rp>(</rp><rt>ご</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>段<rp>(</rp><rt>だん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> verbs (Group I): attach まい directly to the dictionary form — <ruby>書く<rp>(</rp><rt>かく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> → <ruby>書く<rp>(</rp><rt>かく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まい, <ruby>読む<rp>(</rp><rt>よむ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> → <ruby>読む<rp>(</rp><rt>よむ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まい
- <ruby>一段<rp>(</rp><rt>いちだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> verbs (Group II): attach まい to the stem (or, more naturally, to the dictionary form) — <ruby>食べる<rp>(</rp><rt>たべる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> → <ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まい (or <ruby>食べる<rp>(</rp><rt>たべる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まい, both acceptable; <ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まい is more classical but still used)
- する → するまい / しまい (しまい is contraction of するまい, common)
- くる → こまい (or くるまい, both exist; こまい is standard)

Examples of the full pattern:
- <ruby>行こう<rp>(</rp><rt>いこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>と<ruby>行く<rp>(</rp><rt>いく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まいと
- <ruby>見<rp>(</rp><rt>み</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ようが<ruby>見まい<rp>(</rp><rt>みまい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が
- <ruby>勉強<rp>(</rp><rt>べんきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しようと<ruby>勉強<rp>(</rp><rt>べんきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>するまいと
- <ruby>来<rp>(</rp><rt>らい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ようが<ruby>来<rp>(</rp><rt>き</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まいが

The choice between と and が does not change the meaning; が can feel slightly more emphatic or formal, but both are widely used.

## When is ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが used?

Use **ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが** in situations like:
- stating a firm resolution: "I'll do it whether you help or not."
- expressing that an external fact is unavoidable: "The deadline won't change no matter if you complain."
- dismissing someone else's action as irrelevant: "Whether he apologizes or not, I'm done."

Tone and register:
- somewhat formal to strongly emphatic; まい itself is a bit literary, so the whole pattern gravitates toward written Japanese, speeches, or sharp declarations in conversation.
- When softened with ～ようと～まいと, it can still appear in everyday arguments or manga dialogue.

## ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>来<rt>こ</rt></ruby>ようと<ruby>来<rt>こ</rt></ruby>まいと、<ruby>会議<rt>かいぎ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>始<rt>はじ</rt></ruby>める。</p>
    <p class="example-en">Whether he comes or not, we'll start the meeting.</p>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">determination</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp"><ruby>雨<rt>あめ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>降<rt>ふ</rt></ruby>ろうと<ruby>降<rt>ふ</rt></ruby>るまいと、<ruby>試合<rt>しあい</rt></ruby>は<ruby>決行<rt>けっこう</rt></ruby>だ。</p>
    <p class="example-en">Rain or shine, the match will go on.</p>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">inevitability</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp">あなたが<ruby>認<rt>みと</rt></ruby>めようと<ruby>認<rt>みと</rt></ruby>めまいと、<ruby>事実<rt>じじつ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>変<rt>か</rt></ruby>わらない。</p>
    <p class="example-en">Whether you acknowledge it or not, the fact doesn't change.</p>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">fact</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp"><ruby>勉強<rt>べんきょう</rt></ruby>しようとしまいと、<ruby>試験<rt>しけん</rt></ruby>は<ruby>明日<rt>あした</rt></ruby>だ。</p>
    <p class="example-en">Whether you study or not, the exam is tomorrow.</p>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">inevitable scheduling</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp"><ruby>誰<rt>だれ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>賛成<rt>さんせい</rt></ruby>しようとしまいと、<ruby>私<rt>わたし</rt></ruby>は<ruby>進<rt>すす</rt></ruby>める。</p>
    <p class="example-en">Whether anyone agrees or not, I'm pushing forward.</p>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">resolution</span></div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <p class="example-jp"><ruby>謝<rt>あやま</rt></ruby>ろうが<ruby>謝<rt>あやま</rt></ruby>るまいが、<ruby>許<rt>ゆる</rt></ruby>す<ruby>気<rt>き</rt></ruby>はない。</p>
    <p class="example-en">Whether he apologizes or not, I have no intention of forgiving him.</p>
    <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">emotional distance</span></div>
  </div>
</div>

## Nuance of ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが

The key nuance is **the speaker places the action’s execution in a box labeled “irrelevant” – the result is already fixed**. This isn’t a simple conditional; it’s a rhetorical dismissal of the action as a factor.

Compared to common “even if” patterns, **ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが** feels heavier and more final. It often carries a hint of stubbornness, resignation, or moral certainty. When you use it, you’re not just saying “if A or not-A, B” – you’re saying “I don’t care about A; B is what matters.”

This emotional charge is why you’ll hear it in arguments, in dramatic fiction, and in formal decisions announced by a committee. It’s less about probability and more about asserting the irrelevance of a choice.

## ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが vs ようが～ようが

Both **ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが** and **ようが～ようが** (also ようと～ようと) deal with alternatives, but they serve different logical structures.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp a">
    <div class="cmp-head">ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">single action, both sides (do or not-do)</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Whether you do X or not, Y holds.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>来<rp>(</rp><rt>らい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ようが<ruby>来<rp>(</rp><rt>き</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まいが、<ruby>構わ<rp>(</rp><rt>かまわ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">Whether you come or not, I don't care.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">VS</div>
  <div class="cmp b">
    <div class="cmp-head">ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">two distinct actions, both possible</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Whether you do A or B, the same result follows.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>走ろう<rp>(</rp><rt>はしろう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>歩こう<rp>(</rp><rt>あるこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が、<ruby>遅刻<rp>(</rp><rt>ちこく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">Whether you run or walk, you'll be late.</div>
  </div>
</div>

The key difference: **ようと～まいと** compares doing versus not‑doing **the same verb**, while **ようが～ようが** compares **two different verbs** (or actions). In many cases, you can’t swap them without changing the meaning.

If you encounter a sentence and aren’t sure which pattern is correct, check how many actions are on stage — one or two? That’s your first clue.

## Common mistakes with ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>来<rp>(</rp><rt>こ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ないと<ruby>来る<rp>(</rp><rt>くる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>と、<ruby>関係<rp>(</rp><rt>かんけい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない。 <span class="note">(using ない instead of まい)</span></div>
    </div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>来よう<rp>(</rp><rt>こよう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>と<ruby>来<rp>(</rp><rt>き</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まいと、<ruby>関係<rp>(</rp><rt>かんけい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない。</div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ようが<ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なくても、<ruby>同じ<rp>(</rp><rt>おなじ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ。 <span class="note">(mixing なくて with the pattern)</span></div>
    </div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ようが<ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まいが、<ruby>同じ<rp>(</rp><rt>おなじ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ。</div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline bad">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>行く<rp>(</rp><rt>いく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>か<ruby>行か<rp>(</rp><rt>いか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ないかに<ruby>関係<rp>(</rp><rt>かんけい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なく、やる。 <span class="note">(grammatical but misses the rhetorical punch; ～ようと～まいと would be stronger)</span></div>
    </div>
    <div class="mline good">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <div class="mline-body"><ruby>行こう<rp>(</rp><rt>いこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>と<ruby>行く<rp>(</rp><rt>いく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まいと、やる。</div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

The most common slip is replacing **まい** with **ない** or a negative-て form — those are completely different grammar points. Remember that まい is the negative‑volitional auxiliary, not a generic negation, and it must follow the dictionary form (or the appropriate stem for <ruby>一段<rp>(</rp><rt>いちだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> verbs).

## Is ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <span class="jlpt-shield">N1</span>
    <strong>ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが</strong> is firmly in N1 territory.
  </div>
  <div class="jlpt-checks">
    <p>At the N1 level you should be able to:</p>
    <ul>
      <li>recognise the pattern in reading comprehension passages</li>
      <li>distinguish it from similar constructions (ようが～ようが, ～にかかわらず, etc.)</li>
      <li>understand the speaker’s stance — determination, indifference, or inevitability</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</div>

In JLPT N1 questions, this pattern often appears in the grammar section where you choose the correct particle (と or が) or fill in the blank with the properly conjugated verb form. Reading sections may use it to signal a character’s unwavering attitude.

## Practice questions for ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">1</span>
    <div class="prompt-text">Write a sentence about a policy or rule that won't change regardless of public opinion.</div>
    <span class="prompt-tag">formal</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">2</span>
    <div class="prompt-text">Create a line of dialogue where a character brushes off someone else's apology.</div>
    <span class="prompt-tag">emotional</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">3</span>
    <div class="prompt-text">Express a personal resolution using ようが～まいが — something you will do no matter what.</div>
    <span class="prompt-tag">determination</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">4</span>
    <div class="prompt-text">Compare ようが～まいが with ようが～ようが in your own example sentence pair.</div>
    <span class="prompt-tag">contrast</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Learning path for ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <div class="step-body">Learn the まい conjugation for all verb groups (<ruby>五<rp>(</rp><rt>ご</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>段<rp>(</rp><rt>だん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>一段<rp>(</rp><rt>いちだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, irregular). Say each form aloud to lock it in.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <div class="step-body">Write three simple sentences with ようと～まいと, then swap と for が and read them again. Notice any change in feel?</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <div class="step-body">Contrast it with ～ようが～ようが. Make a side‑by‑side chart: one verb repeated vs. two different verbs.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">4</span>
    <div class="step-body">Find a news article or opinion piece that uses ～ようと～まいと. Highlight the sentence and paraphrase the speaker’s attitude.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">5</span>
    <div class="step-body">Build a short dialogue where one character insists on something, using this pattern. Then swap the grammar for a weaker alternative and feel the loss of force.</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [ようが～ようが / ようと～ようと](/blog/n1-you-ga-you-ga-you-to-you-to/) — because it also lists alternatives, but with two different verbs instead of one action's positive/negative pair
- [ようが～ようと](/blog/n1-you-ga-you-to/) — a shorter variant of the above; same contrast, less repetitive rhythm
- [ようによっては～ようでは](/blog/n1-you-ni-yotte-wa-you-dewa/) — because it also uses よう to express a conditional outcome, though through a different logical angle (depending on how you do it)
- [ようにも～ない](/blog/n1-you-nimo-nai/) — because it shares the volitional よう but builds a "no way to do" meaning, which contrasts nicely with the "whether or not" structure

## Learn ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが with Hane

If you want to review **ようと～まいと / ようが～まいが** alongside the related patterns above, Hane helps you practise Japanese in short, focused sessions — so you can internalise these subtle N1 distinctions.

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