N2 Contrast and Concession

~にしても/にしろ/にせよ: meaning, usage and examples

~にしても/にしろ/にせよ means: even if... / whether... or...

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

Examples

1. 疲つかれていたにしても、約束やくそくは守まもるべきだ。

   Even if you were tired, you should keep your promise.

2. 行いくにしろ行いかないにしろ、早はやく決きめてください。

   Whether you go or not, please decide quickly.

3. 電車でんしゃにせよバスにせよ、空港くうこうまでは一いち時間じかん以上いじょうかかる。

   Whether by train or by bus, it takes over an hour to get to the airport.

4. 忙いそがしいにしても、連絡れんらくぐらいはしてほしかった。

   Even if you were busy, I wish you had at least gotten in touch.

When to use it

This pattern means "even if" or "even granting that": the speaker accepts a fact or a possibility but says it does not change the main point. Repeated, it means "whether A or B": 電車でんしゃにせよバスにせよ、一いち時間じかんはかかる. It is also used with question words: 何なにをするにしても、計画けいかくが大切たいせつだ.

Nuance

にしても is the most common and works in speech and writing. にしろ is a little stiffer, and にせよ is the most formal and written. The second clause often gives the speaker's opinion, advice or criticism.

Compare

ても is the everyday "even if" for any condition (雨あめが降ふっても行いく). にしても often accepts a fact and then criticizes or adjusts it: 忙いそがしいにしても、連絡れんらくぐらいはできる. にかかわらず states a rule that ignores a factor: 天気てんきにかかわらず開催かいさいする.

Tip: For "whether A or B," repeat the same form: AにしろBにしろ or AにせよBにせよ. Mixing them (AにしろBにせよ) sounds wrong.