Japanese word

どうせ

Pronunciation

Romajidōse

Meaning

  • adverbanyway

Example

どうせ行くなら、早く行きましょう。dō se i ku na ra haya ku i ki ma shō

If we are going anyway, let's go early.

Illustration for どうせ (anyway)

More examples

どうせすぐ忘れますから、メモしておきます。dō se su gu wasu re ma su ka ra me mo shi te o ki ma su

Since I will forget soon anyway, I will make a note of it.

Core concept

どうせ (dōse) frames an action or outcome as unchanged by the circumstances, often with a sense that the result is already settled.

Common phrases

  • どうせならdō se na ra

    if you are going to do it anyway

  • どうせ行くならdō se i ku na ra

    if you are going anyway

  • どうせ無理dō se mu ri

    impossible anyway

Similar words

どのみちdonomichi: The same result is expected regardless of the circumstances.
とにかくtonikaku: Focuses on the immediate point or action without considering other details.
結局kekkyoku: Refers to the final result after different possibilities or steps are considered.

Definition in Japanese

いずれにしても結果や状況は変わらないという気持ちを表す語。i zu re ni shi te mo kek ka ya jō kyō wa ka wa ra na i to i u ki mo chi o arawa su go

Word origin

The modern adverb どうせ (dōse) has the older written form 如何せ (dōse), while its precise historical formation remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, どうせ (dōse) often sounds more resigned than English "anyway," as in a choice made because the outcome will not change.

Other meanings

  • after alladverb
  • either wayadverb

Word lists with this word