GrammarJLPT N1A かれ B かれ (A kare B kare)

A かれ B かれ (A kare B kare)

JLPT N1

Explanation

Expresses 'whether A or B'; both situations are included.

Formation

Commonly i-adjective stems + かれ + i-adjective stems + かれ (e.g. 早かれ遅かれ). Also sometimes Noun + かれ + Noun + かれ in older usage.

Detailed Explanation

The grammar point ~AかれBかれ is a somewhat literary/old-fashioned pattern often seen with i-adjectives (e.g., 早かれ遅かれ). It can mean 'whether A or B'. Here it's shown with nouns or verbs, which is also possible in older or set expressions.

Examples

冬かれ夏かれ、毎日ジョギングする。

Fuyu kare natsu kare, mainichi jogingu suru.

Whether it's winter or summer, I jog every day.

彼が来るかれ来ないかれ、パーティーは始める。

Kare ga kuru kare konai kare, paatii wa hajimeru.

Whether he comes or not, the party will start.

勝つかれ負けるかれ、試合に出ることが大事だ。

Katsu kare makeru kare, shiai ni deru koto ga daiji da.

Whether we win or lose, it's important to take part in the match.

雨かれ雪かれ、犬の散歩は欠かさない。

Ame kare yuki kare, inu no sanpo wa kakasanai.

Whether it's raining or snowing, I never skip walking the dog.

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.