Japanese word

是非とも

Pronunciation

Romajizehitomo

Meaning

  • adverbabsolutely

Example

私は是非とも合格したいです。watashi wa ze hi to mo gō kaku shi ta i de su

I absolutely want to pass.

Illustration for 是非とも (absolutely)

More examples

この機会を是非とも生かしてください。ko no ki kai o ze hi to mo i ka shi te ku da sa i

Please be sure to make the most of this opportunity.

Core concept

Marks a strong determination or wish that something should happen or be done without fail.

Common phrases

  • 是非とも参加したいze hi to mo san ka shi ta i

    absolutely want to participate

Similar words

どうしてもdōshitemo: Indicates a strong desire or determination to achieve a result despite difficulty.
必ずkanarazu: States that something will happen or be done with certainty.
絶対にzettaini: Emphasizes that something must happen or be done without exception.

Definition in Japanese

どうしても実現したいという強い希望や、必ず実行したいという決意を表す語。dō shi te mo jitsu gen shi ta i to i u tsuyo i ki bō ya kanara zu jik kō shi ta i to i u ketsu i o arawa su go

Word origin

是非とも (zehi tomo) combines 是非 (zehi, "right and wrong") with とも (tomo), an emphatic particle, giving the phrase the force of "by all means."

Usage tips

  • Unlike English "by all means," 是非とも (zehi tomo) expresses a strong wish or determination rather than permission to proceed.

Other meanings

  • at all costsadverb
  • by all meansadverb

Word lists with this word