ISORI

〜にせよ / 〜にしろ

JLPT N2:

even if / whether

Concedes one hypothetical case, or pairs alternatives, while saying the same conclusion applies either way.

How to form it

  • Put にせよ or にしろ after a plain-form predicate. Nouns and な-adjectives attach directly: 理由(りゆう)にしろ.
  • For “whether A or B”, repeat it after both alternatives: 行(い)くにせよ行(い)かないにせよ.
  • にしろ is somewhat more conversational; にせよ is more formal.

Examples

行(い)くにせよ行(い)かないにせよ、今日中(きょうじゅう)に連絡(れんらく)してください。

Whether you go or not, please contact me today.

どんな理由(りゆう)にしろ、無断(むだん)で休(やす)むのはよくない。

Whatever the reason, it is not good to be absent without notice.

Common mistakes

  • Reading にしろ as a command form of する.
  • Giving alternatives that lead to different conclusions.

Similar meaning

  • 〜てもeven if

    ても is the everyday “even if”; にせよ and にしろ sound more formal or emphatic.