にせよ / にしろ【にせよ】

にせよ and にしろ are grammar patterns meaning "even if", "even though", or "regardless of whether". They acknowledge a given condition or fact but assert that the conclusion or judgment remains the same regardless. Both forms are interchangeable in meaning, though にせよ is slightly more formal and common in writing, while にしろ is more conversational.

Basic usage: "even if" / "even though"

Attach にせよ or にしろ to a verb, adjective, or noun to concede a point while stating that it doesn't change the overall conclusion.

Structure details

• Verb (plain form)
  • にせよ / にしろ: いく行くにせよ、いかない行かないにしろ
• い-adjective
  • にせよ / にしろ: たかい高いにせよ
• な-adjective (+ である)
  • にせよ / にしろ: かんたん簡単にせよ、かんたん簡単であるにせよ
• Noun (+ である)
  • にせよ / にしろ: こども子供にせよ、こども子供であるにしろ

"Whether A or B" pattern

When used in the pattern A にせよ B にせよ (or A にしろ B にしろ), it means "whether A or B" – the result is the same in either case.

Nuance

These patterns carry a nuance of concession with emphasis – the speaker acknowledges the condition but stresses that it does not affect the main point. They are used when giving advice, expressing opinions, or laying out conditions. Compared to the softer 〜～ても, にせよ / にしろ sound more assertive and are used in written language or firm statements.

Related forms

• ～にしても: Very similar meaning ("even if"), slightly softer and more common in everyday conversation.
• ～たとえ…にせよ: Adding たとえ ("even if") at the beginning strengthens the concessive nuance further.
  たとえしっぱい失敗したにせよ、ちょうせん挑戦したことにいみがある意味がある。

  Even if you failed, there is meaning in having tried.