JLPT N1 Grammar – Difference between “〜ようが” and “〜ようが〜まいが”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜ようが” and “〜ようが〜まいが”
2. AようがB
3. AようがAまいがB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “ようが” and “ようが～まいが”?
A: “ようが” has the same meaning as “～ても”, expressing that B happens regardless of A.
On the other hand, “ようが～まいが” assumes both the affirmative and negative cases of A and emphasizes that B remains unchanged in either situation.
Let’s take a closer look.
AようがB (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
Even if A happens, it does not affect B.
Has the same meaning as “～ても”, but is a more emphatic expression.
[Rules]
[V] Verb Volitional form + が
[A] い Adjective い + かろう + が
[Na] な Adjective な + だろう + が
[N] Noun + だろう + が
[Examples]
何度失敗しようが、やってみせます。
No matter how many times I fail, I will make sure to try again.
天気が悪かろうが、試合は予定通り行われます。
Even if the weather is bad, the match will proceed as scheduled.
どんなに有名だろうが、わたしはあの人に興味がありません。
No matter how famous they are, I have no interest in that person.
雨だろうが旅行に行くつもりです。
Whether it rains or not, I plan to go on the trip.
“ようが” in simple Japanese has the same meaning as “〜ても”. It assumes a certain situation (A) but expresses that B happens regardless of it.
B often carries nuances such as “not affected,” “free to act,” or “unbothered.”
[Examples]
何度失敗しようが、やってみせます。
No matter how many times I fail, I will make sure to try again.
⇒ Even if I fail multiple times, I will not be discouraged and will keep trying.
たとえどんなに強い敵だろうが、このヒーローは必ず勝ちます。
No matter how strong the enemy is, this hero will surely win.
⇒ This hero will win regardless of how strong the opponent is.
*The “たとえ〜ようが” and “Interrogative word〜ようが” patterns are also commonly used.
AようがAまいがB (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
Expresses that both the affirmative and negative cases of A are assumed, and B occurs regardless.
Has the same meaning as “〜ても〜なくても”, but is a more emphatic expression.
[Rules]
[V] Verb Volitional form + が + Dictionary form + まいが
For Group 2 and 3 verbs, the stem + まい form is also acceptable.
*”する” can take either “するまいが” or “すまいが”
[Examples]
雨が降ろうが降るまいが、父は登山をするそうです。
Whether it rains or not, my father will go hiking.
住民が反対しようがすまいが、この計画は実行されます。
Whether the residents oppose it or not, this plan will be carried out.
彼が来ようが来るまいが、パーティーは予定通り行われます。
Whether he comes or not, the party will proceed as scheduled.
彼女が信じようが信じまいが、真実は変わらない。
Whether she believes it or not, the truth remains unchanged.
“まい” is an auxiliary verb that expresses the negation of intention or conjecture. It assumes both affirmative and negative cases of an event and indicates that B occurs regardless.
In other words, “AしようがAしまいが” means “Whether A happens or not, B remains unchanged.”
[Examples]
雨が降ろうが降るまいが、父は登山をするそうです。
Whether it rains or not, my father will go hiking.
⇒ Even if it rains or doesn’t, my father will still go hiking.
住民が反対しようがすまいが、ビルは建設されるでしょう。
Whether the residents oppose it or not, the building will be constructed.
⇒ The building will be built regardless of whether the residents oppose it or not.
Let’s Compare
The phrase “ようが” is often followed by nuances such as “unaffected,” “free,” or “unbothered.” However, as seen in the examples below, it can also be used to express both affirmative and negative possibilities.
Let’s compare these sentences:
[Examples]
① 住民が反対しようがすまいが、ビルは建設されるでしょう。
Whether the residents oppose it or not, the building will be constructed.
② 住民が反対しようが、ビルは建設されるでしょう。
Even if the residents oppose it, the building will still be constructed.
Both sentences sound natural, but ① assumes both the affirmative (residents oppose) and negative (residents do not oppose) cases, emphasizing that the building will be constructed in either scenario.
In contrast, ② only assumes the affirmative case (residents oppose) and conveys that the building will still be constructed, making the nuance more limited.
Key Differences:
- Using “ようが～まいが” (①) → Clearly expresses that B remains unchanged regardless of whether A happens or not.
- Using only “ようが” (②) → Assumes only the affirmative case of A and implies but does not explicitly state the negative possibility.
Thus, “ようが～まいが” is a more emphatic and comprehensive way to convey that the outcome remains the same in all cases, while “ようが” alone provides a more limited assumption.
Summary
[AようがB]
- Expresses that a certain condition (A) is assumed, but B occurs regardless of it.
- Means “Even if A happens, B does not change.”
[AようがAまいがB]
- Assumes both affirmative and negative cases of A and emphasizes that B remains unchanged in either case.
- Carries the nuance of “Whether A happens or not, B does not change.”
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 弱かろうが
風が強かろうが弱かろうが電車は動くようです。
Whether the wind is strong or weak, the train seems to be running.
*In the “ようが～まいが” pattern, い-adjectives take the form “-い＋かろうが”, so “弱かろうが” is correct.
A. 大変だろうが
どんなに大変だろうがこのプロジェクトは成功させたいです。
No matter how difficult it is, I want to make this project a success.
*In the “ようが～まいが” pattern, な-adjectives take the form “-な+だろうが”, so “大変だろうが” is correct.
A. 言おうが
たとえ、親が何と言おうが日本に行くつもりです。
No matter what my parents say, I intend to go to Japan.
*”言うまいが” follows the “ようが～まいが” structure, which does not fit this sentence.Since this is the “たとえ～ようが” pattern, “言おうが” is the correct choice.
A. 参加すまいが
この集まりに参加すまいが、必ず募金はしてください。
Whether you attend this gathering or not, please make sure to participate in the donation.
*Using only “参加しようが” does not include the negative assumption, which would change the meaning of the sentence.
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