A であれ B であれ
A deare B deare
JLPT N1 Very formal, literary
Formation
Noun A + であれ + Noun B + であれ
Indicates the same statement applies to both A and B; 'whether A or B'.
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 であれ B であれ is used to say a statement applies equally whether it's A or B. Often the nouns/conditions are contrasting pairs, and it's translated as 'whether A or B'.
Example sentences
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Whether it's rain or snow, the match will not be canceled.
Ame deare yuki deare, shiai wa chuushi ni naranai.
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Whether man or woman, everyone should be treated equally.
Otoko deare onna deare, byoudou ni atsukawareru beki da.
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Whether rich or poor, true happiness can't be bought with money.
Yutaka deare binbou deare, shin no shiawase wa kane de wa kaenai.
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Whether you're a veteran or a beginner, you can enjoy this game.
Keikensha deare shoshinsha deare, kono geemu wa tanoshimeru.
Regardless (Whether A Or B)
- A うと B うとA uto B utoN1Shows that the speaker is indifferent to both conditions…
- A かれ B かれA kare B kareN1Expresses 'whether A or B'; both situations are included.
- 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...…
Corpus examples (4)
あなたがだれであれ、またどこの生まれであれ、１つだけは確かである。
No matter who you are or where you are from, one thing is certain.
健康であれば、当然医療費を抑制できる。健康であれば働くことが出来、年金支給開始年齢の引き上げと支給額の抑制に役立つ。
Working, healthy people contribute to the reduction of medical expenses, the rise of the eligible age for benefits, and the curtailment of their costs.
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It is true that he did it, whether by accident or by design.
男の子であれ、女の子であれ、結婚するまでの預かり物だと私は思うことにしている。
Whether it's a son or a daughter, a child is someone you have to take care of until they get married. That's what I think.