Japanese Conversation · Level 30
90 words
Japanese word
どうにか
Pronunciation
Romajidōnika
Meaning
- adverbsomehow
Example
どうにか宿題が終わりました。dō ni ka shuku dai ga o wa ri ma shi ta
I somehow finished my homework.
More examples
今日はどうにか仕事に間に合いました。kyō wa dō ni ka shi goto ni ma ni a i ma shi ta
Somehow I made it to work on time today.
Core concept
Expresses that an outcome is reached by some means, even when the exact method is unclear or success is only just achieved.
Common phrases
どうにかするdō ni ka su ru
somehow manage
どうにかなるdō ni ka na ru
somehow work out
どうにか間に合うdō ni ka ma ni a u
somehow make it on time
Similar words
何とかnantoka: It indicates that an outcome is reached by using some available means, often after trying hard.
かろうじてkarōjite: It indicates that a result is achieved barely, with little room for failure.
やっとyatto: It indicates that a desired result is reached at last after difficulty or waiting.
Definition in Japanese
方法や手段ははっきりしないが、工夫して目的を実現するさま。hō hō ya shu dan wa ha kki ri shi na i ga ku fū shi te moku teki o jitsu gen su ru sa ma
Word origin
どう (dō, "how") combines with に (ni) and the indefinite particle か (ka) to create the sense of "by some method."
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, どうにか (dōnika) often suggests effort and difficulty, so it can sound stronger than a neutral statement that something happened somehow.
Other meanings
- barelyadverb
- one way or anotheradverb