〜であれ (de are)

JLPT N1 No matter what / whoever ~.

Meaning

“Whatever ~ / no matter ~.” The statement holds true in every case.

Formation

Question word + であれ

Noun + であれ（pairs: 〜であれ〜であれ）

Examples

どんな理由であれ、暴力は許されない。

Donna riyū de are, bōryoku wa yurusarenai. — Whatever the reason, violence is not permitted.

子どもであれ大人であれ、ルールは守るべきだ。

Kodomo de are otona de are, rūru wa mamoru beki da. — Child or adult, everyone should follow the rules.

理由が何であれ、遅刻は遅刻だ。

Riyū ga nan de are, chikoku wa chikoku da. — Whatever the reason, late is late.

How it works

It states that the main point applies universally, regardless of the case. It's formal and often pairs with どんな or a question word.

Repeat it (AであれBであれ) to cover “whether A or B.” The main clause is usually a firm judgment or rule.

Compared with similar expressions

• 〜であれ — “whatever ~,” formal universal condition

• 〜ても — “even if ~,” everyday concession

• 〜にかかわらず — “regardless of ~,” formal, with a noun

Common mistakes

• Pair it with どんな or a question word for the “no matter” sense.

• It's formal/written — in speech, 〜でも is more natural.

Related grammar

• 〜であろうと — whatever / whoever ~

• 〜にかかわらず — regardless of ~

• 〜を問わず — regardless of ~