Japanese grammar
What does ～うと～うと mean? Japanese grammar N1
～うと～うと means whether… or… (the result does not change).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V意向形 + と + V意向形 + と い形 かろう + と + い形 かろう + と N・な形 であろう + と |
| Romaji | uto uto |
| Meaning | whether… or… (the result does not change) |
Forming it
| i-adjective | 難しかろう + と + 易しかろう + と |
|---|---|
| Verb (volitional form) | 降ろう + と + 晴れよう + と |
How to use it
States two opposing possibilities and asserts the result does not change; more neutral than 「～うが～うが」.
- 「～うと～うと」 states two opposite possibilities and then concludes with the same result: "whether A or B, either way...".
- Nearly identical in meaning to 「～うが～うが」 (N1-082); the nuance difference is very small — 「と」 is more neutral and appears in both written and formal spoken language.
- Nouns/na-adjectives use 「であろうと」.
Examples
雨が降ろうと晴れようと、私は毎日走る。
Rain or shine, I run every day.
試験が難しかろうと易しかろうと、全力を尽くす。
Whether the exam is hard or easy, I’ll give it my all.
Keep in mind
- Verbs take the volitional form; i-adjectives use 「～かろうと」.
- The following clause is an objective conclusion.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong雨が降ると晴れると、私は走る。
Whether it rains or shines, I still run.
Correct雨が降ろうと晴れようと、私は走る。
Must take the VOLITIONAL form 「降ろう／晴れよう」; the dictionary form + と becomes a conditional sentence, with an entirely different meaning.
-
Wrong学生であろうと、割引をしてください。
Whether a student or a working adult, the price is the same.
Correct学生であろうと社会人であろうと、料金は同じだ。
This pattern needs TWO opposing clauses with the second clause stating an unchanged result — it is not used to make a request.
Exam tips
- 「～うと～うと」 ≒ 「～うが～うが」; nouns/na-adjectives use 「であろうと」.