どうせdouse

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. adverbin any case; regardless; either way; after all; no matter what; anywayindicates inevitability of outcome, resignation or scorn
  2. adverbsince it makes no difference anyway (you might as well ...); since it won't change the outcome; if you are doing it regardlessfollowed by a conditional, or as ~...だから
    If I'm going to have a wedding ceremony, I want it to be the best ever so I have no regrets!
    どうせやるなら上手かみてにやれ。↗
    If you do it at all, do it well.
Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymどのみちNeutralNeutral word for 'the result is the same whichever path you take.' It carries no emotional colour, whereas 「どうせ」 often adds resignation or self-mockery.
  • SynonymどっちみちCasualColloquial; means the result is the same either way, and is synonymous with 「どの道」. 「どうせ」 carries a more negative tone than this word.

Use 「どうせ」 when the outcome is the same either way and you feel resignation or self-mockery, as in 「どうせ無理だ」. For a neutral 'in any case' with no emotional colour, pick 「どの道」 or the colloquial 「どっち道」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 不本意ふほんいである結論けつろんや結果けっかが予想よそうされることに対たいして、何なんを言いおうとも、又または、何なんをしようとも変かわらないであろうと考かんがえ、不満ふまんや諦あきらめ、投なげやりな感情かんじょうを表あらわすさま。
  2. さほど困こまらないような結論けつろんや結果けっかが予想よそうされることに対たいして、たかをくくって安心あんしんするさま。
  3. (仮定かていなどを表あらわす節ふしの中なかで)なにかをしたり、なんらかの事態じたいを甘受かんじゅさせられたりすることになるのなら、いっそのことそれに応おうじて主体的しゅたいてきになにかを行おこなったり、好意的こういてきに受け止うけとめたりするほうがよいと考かんがえるさま。
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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