Explanation

Used to express that regardless of a certain condition or situation, the outcome or action will remain the same. It emphasizes the speaker's determination or strong intention.

Personalized Lesson For You!

Key Formation

• Verb (volitional form) + が／と + Verb (negative volitional form) + が／と

  勉強しようがしまいが (Whether I study or not)

• Verb (volitional form) + と／まいと + Verb

  行こうと行くまいと (Whether I go or not)

Example Sentences

• 勉強しようがしまいが、試験に落ちた。

  Whether I study or not, I failed the exam.

  べんきょうしようがしまいが、しけんにおちた。

  Benkyou shiyou ga shimai ga, shiken ni ochita.

  Pronunciation

• 行こうと行くまいと、彼女には会わない。

  Whether I go or not, I won't meet her.

  いこうといくまいと、かのじょにはあわない。

  Ikou to iku mai to, kanojo ni wa awanai.

  Pronunciation

• 政府は抗議しようがしまいが、対応しないだろう。 (Inspired by a current event)

  Whether the government protests or not, they probably won't respond.

  せいふはこうぎしようがしまいが、たいおうしないだろう。

  Seifu wa kougi shiyou ga shimai ga, taiou shinai darou.

  Pronunciation

• 誰が止めようと止めるまいと、私はやり遂げる。

  Whether anyone tries to stop me or not, I will accomplish it.

  だれがとめようととめるまいと、わたしはやりとげる。

  Dare ga tomeyou to tomeru mai to, watashi wa yaritogeru.

  Pronunciation

• 彼女が言おうと言うまいと、私の意見は変わらない。 (Inspired by a book)

  Whether she says it or not, my opinion won't change.

  かのじょがいおうというまいと、わたしのいけんはかわらない。

  Kanojo ga iou to iu mai to, watashi no iken wa kawaranai.

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• といい～といい (~toi ~toi) - (N1)
  - Both (よ)うが～まいが/(よ)うと～まいと and といい～といい (~toi ~toi) express that regardless of different possibilities, the outcome or situation is the same. However, (よ)うが～まいが/(よ)うと～まいと emphasizes the speaker's strong intention or determination, while といい～といい (~toi ~toi) expresses a desired or favorable situation.
• にしても～にしても (~ni shitemo ~ni shitemo) - (N1)
  - Both (よ)うが～まいが/(よ)うと～まいと and にしても～にしても (~ni shitemo ~ni shitemo) indicate that regardless of one situation or another, the result or action is the same. However, (よ)うが～まいが/(よ)うと～まいと emphasizes the speaker's determination, while にしても～にしても (~ni shitemo ~ni shitemo) presents both situations on an equal level.
• に関わらず (ni kakawarazu) - (N1)
  - Both (よ)うが～まいが/(よ)うと～まいと and に関わらず (ni kakawarazu) express that regardless of a certain condition or situation, the outcome or action will remain the same. However, (よ)うが～まいが/(よ)うと～まいと emphasizes the speaker's determination, while に関わらず (ni kakawarazu) is a more neutral expression.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 勉強 (べんきょう)studyPronunciation
• * 試験 (しけん)examPronunciation
• * 落ちる (おちる)fall (in context of failing an exam)Pronunciation
• * 行く (いく)goPronunciation
• * 会う (あう)meetPronunciation
• * 政府 (せいふ)governmentPronunciation
• * 抗議 (こうぎ)protestPronunciation
• * 対応 (たいおう)responsePronunciation
• * 誰 (だれ)whoPronunciation
• * 止める (とめる)stopPronunciation
• * やり遂げる (やりとげる)accomplishPronunciation
• * 彼女 (かのじょ)shePronunciation
• * 言う (いう)sayPronunciation
• * 意見 (いけん)opinionPronunciation
• * 変わる (かわる)changePronunciation

Quiz

Choose the correct translation: 彼は実行しようがしまいが、結果は同じだった。

• Whether he carried it out or not, the result was the same.
• He carried it out regardless of the result.
• He didn't carry it out, so the result was different.