にしても～にしても

にしても～にしても means whether… or…. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to present alternatives and say both lead to the same point.

This grammar point often appears in advanced reading, formal writing, notices, essays, and careful conversation. If you want to read Japanese with more nuance, にしても～にしても is a useful pattern to learn because it shows the speaker’s logic, stance, or emphasis.

What does にしても～にしても mean?

Use にしても～にしても when you want to present alternatives and say both lead to the same point.

Natural translations include:

• whether… or…
• depending on context
• in a way that matches the speaker’s emphasis

The best translation depends on the sentence. Focus first on what relationship the pattern creates between the ideas.

How to form にしても～にしても

Plain form + にしても + Plain form + にしても

Examples of the pattern:

• 行くにしても行かないにしても
• メールにしても電話にしても
• 賛成するにしても反対するにしても

In JLPT questions, pay close attention to the word immediately before the grammar point. Many wrong answers use a similar meaning but attach to the wrong form.

When is にしても～にしても used?

Use にしても～にしても in situations like:

• reading formal explanations, announcements, or essays
• making a point more precise than a basic grammar pattern would
• connecting two ideas with a clear nuance

Tone and register:

• usually neutral to formal
• common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

にしても～にしても example sentences

• 行くにしても行かないにしても、早く決めてください。 — Whether you go or not, please decide soon.
• メールにしても電話にしても、連絡は必要だ。 — Whether by email or phone, contact is necessary.
• 賛成するにしても反対するにしても、理由を聞きたい。 — Whether you agree or disagree, I want to hear your reason.
• 一人で作るにしてもチームで作るにしても、時間はかかる。 — Whether making it alone or as a team, it takes time.
• 国内にしても海外にしても、旅行には準備が必要だ。 — Whether domestic or overseas, travel requires preparation.

After reading each sentence, ask what job にしても～にしても is doing. Is it limiting, adding, conceding, asserting, or describing a condition? That habit makes the nuance easier to remember than a single English translation.

Nuance of にしても～にしても

The key nuance is present alternatives and say both lead to the same point.

This matters because N2 grammar often overlaps with easier expressions. The advanced pattern usually adds formality, emphasis, restriction, or a stronger logical relationship.

For example:

• In formal writing, にしても～にしても often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
• Compared with にしろ～にしろ, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

にしても～にしても vs にしろ～にしろ

Both にしても～にしても and にしろ～にしろ can express related ideas, but they are different.

にしても～にしても:

• fits the N2 nuance explained above
• often sounds more specific, formal, or emphatic

にしろ～にしろ:

• is usually broader, simpler, or used in a different register
• may be better in casual conversation depending on the sentence

Quick contrast examples:

• 行くにしても行かないにしても、早く決めてください。
• Try rewriting the sentence with にしろ～にしろ and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

Common mistakes with にしても～にしても

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
• Confusing it with にしろ～にしろ just because the English translation overlaps
• Using it in casual speech when a simpler pattern would sound more natural

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with にしても～にしても, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

Is にしても～にしても on the JLPT?

Yes. にしても～にしても is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

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, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions usually test context, not dictionary translation alone.

Practice questions for にしても～にしても

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence that clearly needs にしても～にしても.
• Write a second sentence with にしろ～にしろ and compare the nuance.
• Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

Learning path for にしても～にしても

To learn にしても～にしても efficiently, follow a path that matches this pattern’s real function.

1. First review the formation so the base structure feels natural.
2. Then compare にしても～にしても with にしろ～にしろ and the related lessons below. These recommendations are chosen from similar semantic or structural families.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes にしても～にしても necessary.

Related grammar to review next

• にしろ～にしろ — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• にせよ / にしろ — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n3 ni shite mo — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register

Learn にしても～にしても with Hane

If you want to review にしても～にしても together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons