Japanese grammar
What does ～ようが～まいが mean? Japanese grammar N1
～ようが～まいが means whether one… or not.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V意向形 + が + Vるまい + が |
| Romaji | youga maiga |
| Meaning | whether one… or not |
Forming it
| Verb (する) | しよう + が + しまい + が |
|---|---|
| Verb (group I) | 来よう + が + 来るまい + が |
How to use it
States that doing or not doing A doesn't change the result. Written, decisive.
- 「～ようが～まいが」 = whether one does A or not, the result stays the same. It's the SAME-VERB form of 「～うが～うが」.
- Different from 「～ようか～まいか」 (N1-192, hesitation): this pattern is already DECISIVE that it makes no difference.
- Nearly synonymous with 「～ようと～まいと」 (N1-195); the 「が」 version emphasizes contrast slightly more.
Examples
彼が来ようが来るまいが、会議は予定どおり始める。
Whether he comes or not, the meeting starts as scheduled.
勉強しようがしまいが、結果は自分に返ってくる。
Whether you study or not, the results come back to you.
Keep in mind
- The same verb in both clauses.
- The clause that follows states an unchanging result.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong来ようが来るまいが、迷っている。
I'm torn over whether to come or not.
Correct来ようか来るまいか、迷っている。
To express HESITATION, use 「か～か」; 「が～が」 asserts that the result doesn't change.
-
Wrong来るが来るまいが、始める。
Whether [they] come or not, [we]'ll start.
Correct来ようが来るまいが、始める。
The first clause uses the VOLITIONAL form (来よう).
Exam tips
- 「ようが～まいが」 = whether one does it or not, it's the same; different from 「ようか～まいか」 (hesitation).