📌 What is this grammar?

This is a hypothetical concessive structure used to express:

• “Whether (someone) does or doesn’t do something, (the result won’t change)”
• It presents two opposing possibilities (do or not do) and states that the result, situation, or decision remains unaffected.

📖 Structure

✅ まい is a classical negative volitional meaning “probably won’t / let’s not / will not”.

Verb conjugation:

• Group 1: 行く → 行こう・行くまい
• Group 2: 食べる → 食べよう・食べまい
• Irregular:
  • する → しよう・するまい
  • 来る → 来よう・来まい

🎨 Meaning in Context

Used when:

• Emphasizing that no matter what choice is made (whether A or B), the conclusion/result is the same.
• Often used in a formal, strong-willed, or logical context.

English equivalents:

• “Whether (someone) does or doesn’t…”
• “Regardless of whether (someone) does… or not”

📚 Example Sentences

📌 Nuances & Tone

• Very formal, logical, or resolute.
• Often appears in speeches, essays, formal discussions.
• Implies a strong stance, clear outcome, or logical certainty.

📝 Comparison with Similar Patterns

Example:

• 雨が降っても降らなくても行く。 → I’ll go whether it rains or not. (casual)
• 雨が降ろうと降るまいと行く。 → I’ll go whether it rains or not. (formal, resolute)

✅ Practice Exercise

Translate into Japanese using ～ようと～まいと / ～ようが～まいが:

1. Whether you study or not, the exam will come.
2. Whether he agrees or not, we’ll proceed.
3. Whether it succeeds or fails, it’s worth trying.

Possible Answers:

1. 勉強しようとしまいと、試験は来る。
2. 彼が賛成しようがするまいが、私たちは進める。
3. 成功しようと失敗しようと、挑戦する価値がある。

📝 Summary Table

📑 Pro Tip:

This grammar pattern pairs really well with decisive verbs like:

• 行く、来る、する
• 賛成する、反対する、成功する、失敗する
  → As it naturally expresses decisiveness despite circumstances.