What does ～かれ～かれ mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

A FIXED EXPRESSION combining two opposite i-adjective stems to say "either way...". The number of such fixed expressions is very limited.

• 「～かれ～かれ」 combines two opposite i-adjective STEMS: 「遅かれ早かれ」 (sooner or later...), 「多かれ少なかれ」 (more or less...), 「善かれ悪しかれ」 (for better or worse).
• These are FIXED EXPRESSIONS — you cannot freely combine your own. Nouns and verbs CANNOT be used with 「かれ」.
• To say "whether A or B" with nouns/verbs, use 「～であれ～であれ」 or 「～にせよ～にせよ」.

Examples

• 遅(おそ)かれ早(はや)かれ、真実(しんじつ)は明(あき)らかになるだろう。

  Sooner or later, the truth will come out.

• 誰(だれ)にも多(おお)かれ少(すく)なかれ欠点(けってん)がある。

  Everyone has flaws, more or less.

Keep in mind

• Only a few fixed expressions are used; don't create new combinations.
• Usually placed at the start of the sentence as an adverbial.

Common mistakes

• Wrong冬(ふゆ)かれ夏(なつ)かれ、毎日(まいにち)走(はし)る。

  Whether winter or summer, I run every day.

  Correct冬(ふゆ)であれ夏(なつ)であれ、毎日(まいにち)走(はし)る。

  A NOUN cannot use 「かれ」; "whether A or B" with a noun must use 「～であれ～であれ」.

• Wrong彼(かれ)が来(く)るかれ来(こ)ないかれ、始(はじ)めよう。

  Whether he comes or not, let's start.

  Correct彼(かれ)が来(く)るにせよ来(こ)ないにせよ、始(はじ)めよう。

  A VERB cannot use 「かれ」; use 「～にせよ～にせよ」/「～にしろ～にしろ」.

Exam tips

• 「かれ～かれ」 = FIXED EXPRESSIONS from i-adjective stems (遅かれ早かれ・多かれ少なかれ); not combined with nouns/verbs.

Related patterns

• ～であれ～であれ
• ～にせよ～にせよ
• ～うが～うが