Meaning & usage
にしろ and にせよ express concession, meaning whether X or Y or even granting that X is true, the main statement still holds. Nouns attach directly as in 雨にしろ or 子供にせよ, while verbs and i-adjectives use the plain form as in あるにせよ or 高いにせよ, often paired as XにしろYにしろ. It sounds formal and written, with いずれにせよ fixed to mean in any case, and no particle like から may come between a noun and にしろ.
Example sentences 7
-
いずれにせよパーティーはとりやめにしなければならない。
At any rate, the party will have to be cancelled.
-
謝罪はあったにせよ、私はまだ彼に腹を立てている。
Even though he apologized, I'm still furious.
-
そのようなケースは、たとえあるにせよ、まれなことだった。
There were few, if any, cases.
-
雨にしろ雪にしろ、試合は行う。
Whether it rains or snows, the game will go ahead.
-
高いにせよ安いにせよ、よく考えて買え。
Whether it is expensive or cheap, think carefully before you buy.
-
忙しいにせよ、連絡はしてください。
Even granting that you are busy, please contact me.
-
子供にしろ大人にしろ、約束は守ろう。
Whether child or adult, let's keep our promises.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 2 past exam questions.
