〜かれ〜かれ
Formation
Meaning
Used to indicate that while there may be differences in degree or time, the situation remains fundamentally the same. Often used in set phrases like "sooner or later" or "more or less."
Note
A formal and literary expression derived from classical Japanese. In modern Japanese, it is primarily used in fixed, idiomatic pairs of contrasting adjectives (e.g., 'sooner or later', 'more or less', 'for better or worse').
Examples
遅かれ早かれ、彼は自分の過ちに気づくだろう。
Sooner or later, he will realize his own mistake.
多かれ少なかれ、誰にでも悩みはあるものだ。
Everyone has worries to a greater or lesser degree.
良かれ悪しかれ、それが彼の下した決断だ。
For better or worse, that is the decision he made.
遠かれ近かれ、いつかは決着をつけなければならない。
Sooner or later, we will have to reach a conclusion.
広かれ狭かれ、自分の部屋があるのは嬉しいものだ。
Whether it is wide or narrow, it is nice to have one's own room.
深かれ浅かれ、誰にでも心の傷はある。
Everyone has deep or shallow wounds in their hearts.