JLPT N1 grammar
〜(よ)うが／〜(よ)うと — Meaning & Examples
"No matter what/how" — volitional form + が/と, often with 何・どんなに・誰. 何と言われようが、意見を変えない = no matter what is said, I won't change my mind.
〜(よ)うが／〜(よ)うと — "No Matter What/How"
Attach the VOLITIONAL form of a verb, i-adjective, or na-adjective/noun (だろう) to が or と, often alongside a question word (何・どんなに・誰) to mean "no matter what/how/who."
Pattern: [volitional form] + が／と（＋も）
何と言われようが、私は自分の意見を変えない。
= No matter what people say, I won't change my opinion.
どんなに困難であろうと、あきらめない。
= No matter how difficult it is, I won't give up.
誰が反対しようと、私はこの計画を進める。
= No matter who opposes it, I will move forward with this plan.
Building the volitional for this pattern:
・する→しよう、来る→来よう、言う→言おう
・い-adjective: 難しい→難しかろう（or 難しくても）
・な-adjective/noun: 静か→静かだろう、雨→雨だろう
Key feeling: Iron resolve — the speaker has already decided, and no circumstance will change it.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on 〜(よ)うが／〜(よ)うと. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 「何と言われようが、私は自分の意見を変えない。」 means?
- I will change my opinion if criticised
- People never say anything to me
- I never have opinions
- No matter what people say, I won't change my opinion
Show answer
Answer: No matter what people say, I won't change my opinion
〜(よ)うが = no matter what/how — volitional form + が, often with a question word like 何.
2. 行こうが行くまいが、あなたの自由だ。 means?
- You must go
- Whether you go or not, it's your choice
- You are forbidden to go
- Going is required by law
Show answer
Answer: Whether you go or not, it's your choice
〜うが〜まいが = whether... or not — volitional + negative-volitional (まい), expressing total indifference to the outcome.
Practise 〜(よ)うが／〜(よ)うと in the free app
This point is part of the “"No Matter What" — (よ)うが／うと・うが〜まいが・であれ〜であれ・にせよ／にしろ” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: "No Matter What" — (よ)うが／うと・うが〜まいが・であれ〜であれ・にせよ／にしろ
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜(よ)うが／〜(よ)うと mean?
"No matter what/how" — volitional form + が/と, often with 何・どんなに・誰. 何と言われようが、意見を変えない = no matter what is said, I won't change my mind.
Is 〜(よ)うが／〜(よ)うと on the JLPT N1 test?
〜(よ)うが／〜(よ)うと is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “"No Matter What" — (よ)うが／うと・うが〜まいが・であれ〜であれ・にせよ／にしろ”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜(よ)うが／〜(よ)うと?
Open the “"No Matter What" — (よ)うが／うと・うが〜まいが・であれ〜であれ・にせよ／にしろ” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.