Have you ever wanted to express a kind of resignation, like when you already know how things will turn out, no matter what you do?

“It won’t work out anyway, even if I start now.”
“After all, she’ll just make excuses and say no, so I shouldn’t expect much.”

That’s where the Japanese word どうせ (douse) comes in!

It’s often translated as “anyhow,” “in any case,” “after all,” or even “no matter what.”
But the nuance is a bit more subtle, it often carries a feeling of resignation, inevitability, or “well, it’s going to happen anyway.”

Sometimes it sounds negative or self-deprecating, but depending on the situation, it can also be lighthearted, or even used to show determination, while recognizing a negative situation.

Let’s dive in and see how どうせ really works in Japanese!

どのみち / どっちみち (donomichi / docchimichi) → “anyway / either way”
Both mean the outcome will be the same no matter what.

どのみち = a bit more formal, can be used in writing.
どっちみち = casual, spoken style.

どのみち間に合わないから、急がなくてもいいよ。
donomichi, maniawanai kara, isoganakute mo ii yo.
Either way, we won’t make it on time, so no need to rush.

結局 (kekkyoku) → “after all / in the end”
Focuses on the final result, rather than the inevitability from the start.

結局、彼は来なかった。
kekkyoku, kare ha konakatta.
In the end, he didn’t come.

どうせ忘れるから、メモしておいた方がいいよ。
douse wasureru kara, memo shite oita hou ga ii yo.
You’ll forget anyway, so better write it down.

今から走っても、どうせ電車には間に合わないから、タクシーで行こう。
ima kara hashitte mo, douse densha ni ha maniawanai kara, takushii de ikou.
We won’t catch the train anyway, even if we ran, so let’s just take a taxi.

私のことなんて、どうせだれも信じてくれない。
watashi no koto nante, douse dare mo shinjite kurenai.
After all, nobody’s going to believe me.

週末はさんだら、どうせ忘れるからまた来週教えて！
shuumatsu hasandara, douse wasureru kara mata raishuu oshiete!
You’ll forget it anyway after the weekend, so tell me again next week!

どうせ高いんだから、ちょっといい席にしよう。
douse takai n dakara, chotto ii seki ni shiyou.
Since it’s expensive anyway, let’s go for better seats.

どうせやるなら、全力でやろう！
douse yaru nara, zenryoku de yarou!
If we’re doing it anyway, let’s give it our all!

• Grammar Point: どうせ (douse)
• JLPT Level: N2
• Meaning: Anyhow, in any case, after all, no matter what
• Quick Explanation: どうせ shows that an outcome is unavoidable.
  It often implies resignation, but can also be used casually, or even with determination, depending on context.
  

So that’s how we use どうせ in Japanese!
It’s a handy word for showing something is bound to happen, sometimes with a bit of resignation, sometimes with determination.

When you’re studying Japanese, sometimes you might have a どうせ moment like,
“Maybe I’ll never get better anyway…”
But don’t worry! If you just keep going, your Japanese skills are bound to improve anyway.

Now it’s your turn, try making your own sentences with どうせ.
What’s something in your life that’s bound to happen anyway?

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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