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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜であれ

    〜であれ

    〜であれ

    Expresses a concessive condition, meaning 'even if it is X' or 'be it X'. It indicates that the statement in the main clause holds true regardless of the item mentioned. This is a highly formal and literary expression, primarily used in written language.

    N1KMT9FormalStandardAdverbial ConstructionWritten OnlyOlder SpeakersWhether X Or YGrammar

    Noun + であれPrimary
    な-Adjective + であれ

    This means "even if it is X" or "be it X." It shows that something is true no matter what X is. It is very formal and used mostly in writing.

    いかなる理り由ゆうであれ、暴ぼう力りょくは決けっして許ゆるされない。

    Whatever the reason may be, violence is never permissible.

    FormalNon PastNegativeClause InitialProhibitionPolitics & LawCore Concepts
    たとえ相あい手てが子こ供どもであれ、彼かれの言げん動どうは許ゆるしがたいものだった。

    Even though the other person was a child, his words and actions were unforgivable.

    FormalPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & RelationshipsEmotions & Psychology
    それが真しん実じつであれ嘘うそであれ、我われ々われの計けい画かくに影えい響きょうはない。

    Whether that is truth or a lie, it has no effect on our plan.

    FormalNon PastNegativeClause InitialDeclarativeBusiness & FinanceWork & Career
    状じょう況きょうがどれほど困こん難なんであれ、我われ々われは諦あきらめるべきではない。

    No matter how difficult the situation may be, we should not give up.

    FormalNon PastNegativeMid SentenceObligationEmotions & PsychologyWork & Career
    どんな立たち場ばの人ひとであれ、敬けい意いを払はらうべきです。

    Regardless of a person's position, you should treat them with respect.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceObligationCulture & TraditionsCore Concepts

    This grammar is like saying 'even if it's a really big deal.' It shows that something is true no matter what. It works even for important things.

    This grammar is like saying 'whether X or Y'. It is much more formal than 〜にせよ or 〜にしろ. You will see it in books or important speeches. It sounds very serious. 〜にせよ and 〜にしろ are used more often. You can use them when you talk in formal situations.

    Don't use this when you want to say "even if I go." This grammar only works with nouns or な-adjectives. You cannot use it directly with verbs or い-adjectives. You need to change verbs into nouns first.

    Use this when you want to say something is true no matter what. It makes your main point sound very strong. You are saying it applies to everything.

    More formal alternatives(1)

    〜にせよ

    Indicates a concession, equivalent to 'even if', 'granting that', or 'be that as it may'. It's used to acknowledge a point before stating a main clause that holds true regardless.

    〜だ / 〜だった

    This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    Variants

    • 〜であれ〜であれ

    more_formal_than

    • 〜にせよ

    prerequisite

    • 〜だ / 〜だった

    Similar concepts

    • 〜(よ)うが / 〜(よ)うと

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