Lesson 5
Examples & listing: whether A or B
- 1 〜なり〜なり ~nari ~nari either ~ or ~ (whichever — just do something) Name two ways and say 'either is fine — but do something.'
- 2 〜であれ〜であれ ~de are ~de are whether ~ or ~ (the same either way) 'Whether A or B, the same rule holds' — formal and firm.
- 3 〜であろうと〜であろうと ~de arō to ~de arō to even if it's ~ or ~ (it makes no difference) 'Even if it's A, even if it's B' — a firmer stand than 「であれ」.
- 4 〜といい〜といい ~to ii ~to ii both ~ and ~ (in every respect) Judge one thing from two angles: 'whichever way you look, it's like this.'
- 5 〜といわず〜といわず ~to iwazu ~to iwazu ~ and ~ alike — everywhere, all the time Not just here or there — everywhere, without exception.
- 6 〜というか〜というか ~to iu ka ~to iu ka ~, or should I say ~ When one word can't hold the feeling — 'how do I put it… this, or maybe that.'
- 7 〜が〜なら〜も〜だ ~ga ~nara ~mo ~da A is bad, and B is just as bad Blaming both sides in one breath — 'like parent, like child', as criticism.
Lesson check
All 7 forms of this lesson together — pick the right one from its look-alikes, the way the exam does. 6/8 completes the lesson.
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「遅れるなら、電話＿メール＿で連絡してね。」Which says 'any way you like, but let me know'?
💡 Hint:A request follows: 連絡してね.
なり〜なり = whichever, just do something (advice/request). といい and といわず cannot take a request.
「留学生＿日本人学生＿、寮のルールは全員同じだ。」— fill the blanks.
💡 Hint:'Whichever it is, the rule is the same.'
であれ〜であれ = A or B, the same for all. なり is for advice, といい for judging qualities.
「この旅館は、料理＿景色＿、言うことなしだ。」— fill the blanks.
💡 Hint:Two aspects of one inn, then a verdict.
といい〜といい = the food, the view — excellent from every angle. といわず means 'everywhere' for places/times.
「雨の日が続いて、玄関＿廊下＿、家中じめじめしている。」— fill the blanks.
💡 Hint:A pair of places + a scene of 'the whole house'.
といわず〜といわず = everywhere without distinction, often an unpleasant state. であろうと is a firm 'same rule whichever'.
「やっと退院できた。うれしい＿ほっとした＿、言葉にならない。」— fill the blanks.
💡 Hint:Searching for the right word for a feeling.
というか〜というか = happy, or should I say relieved. といい takes nouns and counts aspects; it doesn't search for words.
「兄＿兄なら、弟も弟だ。二人とも親のお金で遊んでばかりだ。」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint:The scolding form where the noun repeats.
N₁がN₁なら、N₂もN₂だ: 兄が兄なら弟も弟だ = the older brother's bad, and the younger one's no better.
As advice for when you're in trouble, which sentence is natural?
💡 Hint:Which form can be followed by 〜てください?
Only なり〜なり goes with advice or requests. といい and といわず cannot take a request; が〜なら is a scolding.
「【お知らせ】正社員＿パート＿、健康診断は全員が受けなければならない。」— fill the blanks.
💡 Hint:A formal notice + 'no exceptions'.
であろうと〜であろうと = full-timer or part-timer, everyone must take the check-up. というか is chatty, なり is advice.
Your score: /8