Japanese grammar
What does ～うが～うが mean? Japanese grammar N1
～うが～うが means whether… or… (the outcome remains the same).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V意向形 + が + V意向形 + が い形 かろう + が + い形 かろう + が |
| Romaji | uga uga |
| Meaning | whether… or… (the outcome remains the same) |
Forming it
| i-adjective | 早かろう + が + 遅かろう + が |
|---|---|
| Verb (volitional form) | 話そう + が + 話すまい + が |
How to use it
States two opposing possibilities and then asserts that the result does NOT change; emphasizes defiance/indifference. Written style, forceful.
- 「～うが～うが」 states two opposite possibilities and concludes: whichever way it falls, the result is the same. The nuance is DEFIANT and decisive.
- A common pair: 「Vよう + が + Vまい + が」 (whether one does it or not).
- Close to 「～うと～うと」 (N1-083) — nearly identical in meaning; 「～が」 emphasizes the opposition slightly more strongly, while 「～と」 is more neutral.
Examples
朝早かろうが夜遅かろうが、バスはいつも遅れる。
Whether it’s early morning or late at night, the bus is always late.
彼に話そうが話すまいが、結果は変わらない。
Whether I talk to him or not, the result won’t change.
Keep in mind
- Verbs take the VOLITIONAL form (話そう), not the dictionary form.
- The following clause states an unchanged conclusion — not a request or command.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong話すが話さないが、結果は同じだ。
Whether you talk or not, the result is the same.
Correct話そうが話すまいが、結果は同じだ。
The verb must take the VOLITIONAL form 「話そう」, and the negative clause uses 「～まい」 — not the dictionary form or ～ない.
-
Wrong雨が降るだろうが降らないだろうが、傘を持ってきてください。
Whether it rains or not, please bring an umbrella.
Correct雨が降ろうが降るまいが、傘を持ってきてください。
Must take the VOLITIONAL form 「降ろう」+「降るまい」; the conjectural form 「だろう」 cannot produce this pattern's concessive meaning of "whatever happens".
Exam tips
- 「～うが～うが」 = "whether...or..." (defiant/indifferent); verbs take the volitional form, with 「Vよう が Vまい が」 as a common pair.