X是它，Y也是它 / X着也是X着 / 不管怎样说: either way, anyway
【五62】【五63】【五65】口语格式 / set structures
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
Three spoken formulas for "it comes to the same thing". A是它，B也是它 closes off the alternatives: whether it's A or B, it is always the same 它 (这条路，晴天是它，雨天也是它). V着也是V着 means "since I'm V-ing anyway" and calls for a suggestion with 不如 (闲着也是闲着，不如去帮忙). 不管怎样说 opens a conclusion that holds from any point of view (不管怎样说，我们已经尽力了).
In A是它，B也是它, 它 picks up the topic already named, and the second half takes 也. In V着也是V着 the verb expresses a state or waiting (闲, 坐, 等, 站, 躺) and takes 着 in both halves. 不管怎样说 is a fixed phrase, placed at the head of the sentence.
They are close to 反正 (HSK 4), "anyway", which is a free adverb: these are fixed frames, more vivid, and swapping in 反正 changes the tone. Register: spoken, familiar, except 不管怎样说, which also works in writing.
Examples
闲着也是闲着，不如我们去帮帮忙吧。
Xiánzhe yě shì xiánzhe, bùrú wǒmen qù bāng bang máng ba.We're idle anyway, so we may as well go and help.
等着也是等着，我们先去吃点东西吧。
Děngzhe yě shì děngzhe, wǒmen xiān qù chī diǎn dōngxi ba.We have to wait anyway, so let's go and eat something first.
不管怎样说，这件事我们已经尽力了。
Bùguǎn zěnyàng shuō, zhè jiàn shì wǒmen yǐjīng jìnlì le.Whatever anyone says, we did our best in this matter.
不管怎样说，身体最重要，工作明天再做也不迟。
Bùguǎn zěnyàng shuō, shēntǐ zuì zhòngyào, gōngzuò míngtiān zài zuò yě bù chí.Whatever else, health comes first: the work can wait until tomorrow.
这家店的价格，平时是它，节日也是它，一直没涨过。
Zhè jiā diàn de jiàgé, píngshí shì tā, jiérì yě shì tā, yìzhí méi zhǎng guo.In this shop the price is the same on ordinary days and on holidays: it has never gone up.
我们的目标，今年是它，明年也是它，就是把质量做好。
Wǒmen de mùbiāo, jīnnián shì tā, míngnián yě shì tā, jiù shì bǎ zhìliàng zuò hǎo.Our goal, this year and next alike, is the same one: to get the quality right.
Common mistakes
✗ 闲也是闲着 → ✓ 闲着也是闲着 (the verb takes 着 in both halves).
✗ 晴天是它，雨天是它 → ✓ 晴天是它，雨天也是它 (the second half takes 也).
✗ 不管怎样说话，你错了 → ✓ 不管怎样说，你错了 (the fixed phrase is 不管怎样说, without 话).