N1 Listing and Enumeration

~かれ〜かれ: meaning, usage and examples

~かれ〜かれ means: whether... or...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 遅おそかれ早はやかれ、真実しんじつは明あきらかになるだろう。

   Sooner or later, the truth will come out.

2. 多おおかれ少すくなかれ、誰だれにでも欠点けってんはある。

   Everyone has flaws to some degree.

3. 善よかれ悪あしかれ、この決定けっていが会社かいしゃの将来しょうらいを左右さゆうする。

   For better or worse, this decision will shape the company's future.

4. 人ひとは多おおかれ少すくなかれ、周まわりの影響えいきょうを受うけて生いきている。

   Everyone is influenced by the people around them to some degree.

When to use it

A classical imperative form of an adjective, paired with its opposite to mean "whether it is A or B, either way". It survives only in a few set phrases: 遅おそかれ早はやかれ (sooner or later), 多おおかれ少すくなかれ (to a greater or lesser degree), 善よかれ悪あしかれ (for better or worse). Example: 遅おそかれ早はやかれ分わかることだ (It will come out sooner or later).

Nuance

Literary in origin but used freely in speech and writing as fixed expressions. It cannot be formed productively from other adjectives (no 高たかかれ安やすかれ). Each phrase has a set order: 遅おそかれ早はやかれ, never 早はやかれ遅おそかれ.

Compare

～であれ～であれ works with any noun: 晴はれであれ雨あめであれ実施じっしする. ～にしろ～にしろ is the everyday version: 行いくにしろ行いかないにしろ. ～かれ～かれ is limited to the three set phrases and is the only option inside them. They are not interchangeable with the general patterns.

Tip: Learn the three phrases as vocabulary. 善よかれ悪あしかれ is also written 良よかれ悪あしかれ; both mean "for better or worse".