A かれ B かれ
A kare B kare
JLPT N1 Very formal, literary
Formation
Commonly i-adjective stems + かれ + i-adjective stems + かれ (e.g. 早かれ遅かれ). Also sometimes Noun + かれ + Noun + かれ in older usage.
Expresses 'whether A or B'; both situations are included.
When to use
Formal, literary - one of several near-interchangeable "whether A or B" constructions; stylistic choice more than a formality ladder.
Explanation
The grammar point ～AかれBかれ is a somewhat literary/old-fashioned pattern often seen with i-adjectives (e.g., 早かれ遅かれ). It can mean 'whether A or B'. Here it's shown with nouns or verbs, which is also possible in older or set expressions.
Example sentences
-
Whether it's winter or summer, I jog every day.
Fuyu kare natsu kare, mainichi jogingu suru.
-
Whether he comes or not, the party will start.
Kare ga kuru kare konai kare, paatii wa hajimeru.
-
Whether we win or lose, it's important to take part in the match.
Katsu kare makeru kare, shiai ni deru koto ga daiji da.
-
Whether it's raining or snowing, I never skip walking the dog.
Ame kare yuki kare, inu no sanpo wa kakasanai.
Regardless (Whether A Or B)
- A うと B うとA uto B utoN1Shows that the speaker is indifferent to both conditions…
- A であれ B であれA deare B deareN1Indicates the same statement applies to both A and B…
- A とも B ともA tomo B tomoN1Expresses two possibilities; 'either A or B', 'whether A…
- A あるいは BA aruiwa BN2Indicates alternatives; 'A or B', 'either A or B'.
- Noun なり Noun なりA nari B nariN1Lists alternatives of the same kind; 'either A or B', 'A…
- A にしろ B にしろA nishiro B nishiroN1Means 'whether it is A or B'; 'regardless of A or B'.
- A にせよ B にせよA ni seyo B ni seyoN1Either A or B; Regardless of whether it's A or B.
- A につけ B につけA ni tsuke B ni tsukeN1Expresses 'whether... or...', 'both... and...', 'in either…
- Noun といい Noun といい〜to ii〜to iiN1Used to express 'both A and B'; 'whether it's A or B'…
- Noun といわず Noun といわずA to iwazu B to iwazuN1Expresses 'both A and B' or 'be it A or B'; applies to…
- ～にしろ～にしろ〜ni shiro 〜ni shiroN2Expresses 'either way', 'in any case', 'be it...', used…
- A うが B うがA uga B ugaN1Expresses the idea of 'no matter how... or', 'even if...…