Explanation

Used to express a sense of resignation, inevitability, or a lack of interest in the outcome of an action. It is often translated as 'anyway', 'in any case', or 'regardless'.

Personalized Lesson For You!

Key Formation

• どうせ + Verb

  どうせ行く (Anyway, go)

• どうせ + Noun + だから

  どうせ無駄だから (Since it's useless anyway)

Example Sentences

• どうせ行かないんだから、誘われても断るよ。

  I'm not going anyway, so even if you invite me, I'll decline.

  どうせいかないんだから、さそわれてもことわるよ。

  Douse ikanai ndakara, sasowarete mo kotowaru yo.

  Pronunciation

• どうせ結果は変わらないので、一生懸命頑張れ。

  Since the outcome won't change anyway, do your best with all your might.

  どうせけっかはかわらないので、いっしょうけんめいがんばれ。

  Douse kekka wa kawaranai node, isshoukenmei ganbare.

  Pronunciation

• どうせ無理だから、やめとけ。

  Since it's impossible anyway, just give up.

  どうせむりだから、やめとけ。

  Douse muri dakara, yametoke.

  Pronunciation

• どうせ明日は雨だし、ピクニックは中止にしよう。 (Inspired by real-life situation)

  Since it's going to rain tomorrow anyway, let's cancel the picnic.

  どうせあしたはあめだし、ぴくにっくはちゅうしにしよう。

  Douse ashita wa ame da shi, pikunikku wa chushi ni shiyou.

  Pronunciation

• どうせ仕事が終わったらビールを飲もう。

  Anyway, let's have a beer after work.

  どうせしごとがおわったらびーるをのもう。

  Douse shigoto ga owattara biiru o nomou.

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• とにかく (tonikaku) - (N2)
  - Both どうせ (douse) and とにかく (tonikaku) express a sense of 'anyway' or 'in any case', but とにかく (tonikaku) can also be used to mean 'anyhow', 'after all', or 'in any event.'
• たとえ (tatoe) - (N2)
  - どうせ (douse) and たとえ (tatoe) are both used to introduce hypothetical situations or present a possible scenario. However, たとえ (tatoe) tends to focus on a specific example or circumstance, while どうせ (douse) expresses a general sense of inevitability or resignation.
• に関わらず (ni kakawarazu) - (N2)
  - どうせ (douse) and に関わらず (ni kakawarazu) both mean 'regardless of' or 'irrespective of'. However, どうせ (douse) is more colloquial and often used in spoken language, while に関わらず (ni kakawarazu) is more formal and used in written language.
• せいぜい (seizei) - (N2)
  - Both どうせ (douse) and せいぜい (seizei) express a sense of 'at most' or 'at best'. However, せいぜい (seizei) is used when referring to the maximum limit or extent, while どうせ (douse) implies a resigned or indifferent attitude towards the outcome.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 行く (いく)to goPronunciation
• * 誘う (さそう)to invitePronunciation
• * 断る (ことわる)to declinePronunciation
• * 結果 (けっか)resultPronunciation
• * 変わる (かわる)to changePronunciation
• * 一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい)with all one's mightPronunciation
• * 無理 (むり)impossiblePronunciation
• * 止める (やめる)to give up, to stopPronunciation
• * 明日 (あした)tomorrowPronunciation
• * 雨 (あめ)rainPronunciation
• * ピクニック (ぴくにっく)picnicPronunciation
• * 中止 (ちゅうし)cancellationPronunciation
• * 仕事 (しごと)work, jobPronunciation
• * 終わる (おわる)to finishPronunciation

Quiz

Which of the following means 'Regardless of the result, I will do my best.'?

• どうせ結果は関係なく、一生懸命頑張ります。
• どうせ結果が変わらないので、頑張る価値がない。
• どうせ結果はどうなっても、全力で頑張ります。