かれ〜かれ

かれ〜かれ is a literary or formal pattern meaning 'either X or Y' or 'one or the other.' It presents two options or alternatives in a balanced, parallel form. This expression is relatively formal and can appear in written language, debates, or literary narration. It emphasizes weighing two choices without committing to either, similar to saying 'whether X or Y' in English. The two items joined by かれ should be parallel in category (both nouns, both verb phrases, etc.). In everyday conversation, you’ll more commonly hear かれ in fixed phrases or switch to more common constructions like XかYか. Usage notes: - Use when contrasting two options and wanting a neutral, literary tone. - Works with nouns, adjectives, or verb phrases as long as the two items are parallel. - Not typically used in casual speech; expect to encounter it in writing or formal speech.