いかなる
Meanings
- What kind of
- No matter what kind of
- No … (with a negative verb)
- Any... (with a negative verb)
About this pattern
Explanation
いかなる is a formal, literary-modified way to say “whatever kind of …” or “no matter what kind of ….” It elevates the tone and is common in official, legal, or dramatic writing. It is used before a noun to emphasize that all kinds or any kind of whatever situation are included. When paired with verbs in the negative or with ようと/ても constructions (e.g., いかなる…にも/でも, いかなる事があろうと), it stresses that something holds true in all circumstances, regardless of what happens. Typical contexts include proclamations, defense statements, warnings, or rhetoric that asserts unwavering resolve across any possible scenario. Note that it is less common in casual speech and can sound overly formal outside written Japanese. Examples often involve phrases like いかなる事情にも動じない (not swayed by any circumstances) or いかなる困難があろうと諦めない (no matter what difficulties arise, I won’t give up).
Learn in context
Example sentences
In any case, human life comes first.
No matter what criticism comes, we will not change our policy.
No matter what difficulties arise, I won’t give up.
We must stay calm in any situation.
Whatever may happen, he should take responsibility.
Keep studying
More N1 patterns
from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including
View detailsNo matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~
View detailslike; similar to; as if; the same as
View detailsto be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient
View detailsextreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree
View detailsEven though; Even if; Although; Despite
View details