Verb ようが Verb るまいが JLPT N1 Very formal / literary

Verb you ga Verb ru mai ga

Expresses 'whether or not', 'no matter if something happens or not'.

Formal, literary "whether one does X or not, (the outcome is unchanged)" - stronger, more declarative than ようか～まいか.

Formation

Verb-volitional form + が + Verb-negative volitional form + が

Explanation

Verbようが Verbるまいが indicates that whatever happens - whether the action is done or not - the outcome remains unchanged or the speaker's stance remains the same.

Example sentences

彼が来ようが来るまいが、パーティーは始まります。

Whether he comes or not, the party will start.

Kare ga koyou ga kurumai ga, paatii wa hajimarimasu.
勉強しようがしまいが、テストの結果は変わらない。

Whether you study or not, the test results won't change.

Benkyou shiyou ga shimai ga, tesuto no kekka wa kawaranai.
雨が降ろうが降るまいが、ピクニックに行きます。

Whether it rains or not, we're going on a picnic.

Ame ga furou ga furumai ga, pikunikku ni ikimasu.
暑かろうが寒かろうが、毎日ジョギングします。

Whether it's hot or cold, I jog every day.

Atsukarou ga samukarou ga, mainichi jogingu shimasu.

Whether Or Not (To Do X)

Verb ようか Verbるまいか JLPT N1
～か～まいか JLPT N2