N1 Contrast and Concession

~ようが / ~ようと: meaning, usage and examples

~ようが / ~ようと means: no matter... / even if...

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

Examples

1. 周まわりが何なんと言いおうが、私わたしは自分じぶんの道みちを信しんじて進すすむ。

   No matter what anyone says, I will believe in my path and move forward.

2. 雨あめが降ふろうと雪ゆきが降ふろうと、明日あしたの試合しあいは行おこなわれる。

   Whether it rains or snows, tomorrow's match will be held.

3. 誰だれに反対はんたいされようと、留学りゅうがくするという決心けっしんは変かわらない。

   No matter who opposes me, my decision to study abroad will not change.

4. 夜中よなかに何時なんじまで起おきていようが、私わたしの勝手かってでしょう。

   How late I stay up at night is my own business.

When to use it

Means "no matter how / what / who" or "whether X or Y." The speaker says the result or their decision does not change no matter what happens. For example, 誰だれに反対はんたいされようと、決心けっしんは変かわらない (no matter who opposes me, my decision will not change). Often with question words (何なん, 誰だれ, どこ) or in pairs: 雨あめが降ふろうと雪ゆきが降ふろうと.

Nuance

Emphatic, with strong will or indifference ("I do not care"). Used in speech and writing; ようが is a little rougher, ようと a little more formal. The second half shows an unchanging decision, fact or attitude (〜は変かわらない, 自由じゆうだ, 関係かんけいない).

Compare

Compare ても: 雨あめが降ふっても行いく is neutral. 雨あめが降ふろうと行いく is more forceful. Compare であれ, which takes nouns: 誰だれであれ. Compare ようが〜まいが: 行いこうが行いくまいが私わたしの自由じゆうだ, "whether or not."

Tip: Build it from the volitional form: 言いう → 言いおう → 言いおうが. For pairs, use the same particle both times: 降ふろうと...降ふろうと, not 降ふろうが...降ふろうと.

More on this in Japanese conditionals: tara, ba, nara and to.