なんとか・何とかnantoka[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. expressionsomething; something or other; so-and-so
2. adverb, suru verbsomehow (handling, dealing with something); anyhow; one way or another
   なんとかその機械きかいを動うごかした。↗

   He managed to run the machine.

• RelatedどうにかNeutralNeutral. 'Somehow, barely', as in 「どうにかなる」; nearly synonymous with 「何とか」.
• Related曲がりなりにもまがりなりにもWrittenWritten/formal prose. 'Though imperfect, at least…', as in 「曲がりなりにも完成した」; stresses that the result is not perfect.
• RelatedどうかこうかCasualColloquial. Managing somehow by trying this way and that; has a slightly dated feel — everyday speech prefers 「どうにかこうにか」.
• Related何らかの方法でWrittenWritten/formal prose. Literally 'by some means', objective in tone; 「何とか」 carries the nuance of managing somehow, with effort.
• Related如何にかこうにかCasualColloquial. Stresses that you managed only after a lot of trouble, as in 「どうにかこうにか間に合った」.
• Related如何にかNeutralNeutral. Means 'somehow, barely', as in 「どうにか間に合った」; mostly interchangeable with 「何とか」.
• Related如何にか斯うにかCasualColloquial. The kanji spelling of 「どうにかこうにか」; stresses that it took great effort to manage.

For managing to do something somehow or barely, use 「何とか」 or 「どうにか」. Use 「どうにかこうにか」 to stress it took real effort, and 「曲がりなりにも」 to stress the result is imperfect.

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

1. どうにか努力どりょくするさま。
2. （不完全ふかんぜんであるが要求ようきゅうに応おうじ）かろうじて。