～ても～なくても

The pattern ～ても～なくても expresses "whether or not" something happens or is the case. It indicates that the outcome or situation remains the same regardless of whether the action is performed or not. The same verb appears twice – once in the affirmative て-form + も and once in the negative なくて-form + も.

How it works

The first half 〜～ても means "even if (you do)," and the second half 〜～なくても means "even if (you don't)." Together, they cover both possibilities and convey that neither option changes anything.

With adjectives and nouns

Although the most common pattern uses verbs, this structure also works with adjectives and nouns:

• い-adjective:たかくて高くてもたかくなくて高くなくても (whether it's expensive or not)
• な-adjective:しずか静かでもしずか静かでなくても (whether it's quiet or not)
• Noun:がくせい学生でもがくせい学生でなくても (whether you're a student or not)

Usage notes

This pattern often appears with phrases like かんけいない関係ない (doesn't matter), おなじ同じ (the same), or かまわない構わない (don't mind) in the main clause, emphasizing that the two scenarios make no difference.