N3197/219

どうしても

どうしても + Verb (dictionary form)どうしても + i-adjectiveどうしても + na-adjectiveどうしても + negative form (ない)

Meanings

  • no matter what
  • by all means
  • at any cost
  • in any case

About this pattern

Explanation

どうしても is a strong adverb meaning that something must happen or will happen despite difficulties. It conveys determination, urgency, or inevitability, and it can express both positive resolve (“I must do this”) and stubbornness (“I can’t help it, I won’t give up”). It’s used to stress that a situation cannot be avoided or that a goal is pursued with all effort. It often appears with verbs in the dictionary form, but can also modify adjectives to emphasize the degree.

Learn in context

Example sentences

どうしても間に合わない。

I won’t be able to make it no matter what.

どうしても諦められない。

I can’t give up, no matter what.

どうしてもこの本を読み切りたい。

I really want to finish reading this book, no matter what.

どうしても彼には負けたくない。

I don’t want to lose to him, no matter what.

どうしても成功させたいので、計画を見直した。

I want to succeed no matter what, so I revised the plan.