GRAMMAR
〜かろうが（A-Adj)
even if
no matter
Explanation
NOTE
〜かろうが means even if / no matter — the result holds whether or not the quality is true.
高かろうが買うつもりだ。
No matter how expensive it is, I plan to buy it.
NOTE
It is formal and emphatic. It often pairs with a second 〜まいが to mean whether or not.
暑かろうが寒かろうが、毎朝走る。
Whether it is hot or cold, I run every morning.
Two 〜かろうが clauses can be paired to contrast opposite qualities.
NOTE
Take an i-adjective, drop the final い, and add かろうが. So 高い becomes 高かろうが.
STRUCTURE
Adj-Iい
かろうが難しかろうが、やり遂げる。
Muzukashikarou ga, yaritogeru.
No matter how hard it is, I will see it through.
忙しかろうが、家族と過ごす。
Isogashikarou ga, kazoku to sugosu.
No matter how busy I am, I spend time with my family.
遠かろうが、会いに行く。
Tookarou ga, ai ni iku.
No matter how far it is, I will go to meet them.
外が寒かろうが、今日は散歩に行きます。
Soto ga samukarou ga, kyou wa sanpo ni ikimasu.
Even if it is cold outside, I will go for a walk today.
道が悪かろうが、目的地まで走ります。
Michi ga warukarou ga, mokutekichi made hashirimasu.
Even if the road is in bad condition, I will run to the destination.
値段が高かろうが、この本はとても大切です。
Nedan ga takakarou ga, kono hon wa totemo taisetsu desu.
No matter how expensive the price is, this book is very precious.
Practice exercises
1
難しかろうが、やり遂げる。
No matter how hard it is, I will see it through.
Answer
しかろうが
2
忙しかろうが、家族と過ごす。
No matter how busy I am, I spend time with my family.
Answer
が
3
遠かろうが、会いに行く。
No matter how far it is, I will go to meet them.
Answer
かろうが
4
簡単な問題ならまだしも、これは難しかろうが、解け
If it were a simple problem it would be acceptable, but no matter how difficult this is, solve it.
Answer
かろうが
5
子供といえども、彼は賢かろうが、経験は少ない
Even though he is a child, no matter how smart he is, his experience is limited.
Answer
かろうが
6
社長ともなると、責任が重かろうが、逃げられない
When one becomes a company president, no matter how heavy the responsibility is, there is no escape.
Answer
かろうが
7
周りが冷たかろうが、自分の信じる道を行け
No matter how cold those around you are, follow the path you believe in.
Answer
かろうが
8
人生は苦しかろうが、そこに意味を見出すしかない
No matter how painful life is, you just have to find meaning in it.
Answer
かろうが