GRAMMAR
どうせ
anyhow
after all (cynical)
Explanation
NOTE
どうせ means anyway or after all — an adverb showing resignation that the outcome is already decided.
どうせ無理だから、やめておこう。
It's impossible anyway, so let's stop.
どうせ shows the speaker has already accepted the negative outcome.
NOTE
The tone is often cynical or pessimistic — the speaker feels the result is predetermined and unavoidable.
NOTE
Place どうせ at the start of a clause, before the verb, noun, or adjective it modifies.
STRUCTURE
どうせ+clause
どうせ負けるから、練習しても無駄だ。
Douse makeru kara, renshuu shitemo muda da.
We'll lose anyway, so practicing is useless.
どうせ私には無理だよ。
Douse watashi ni wa muri da yo.
It's impossible for me anyway.
どうせ誰も気づかない。
Douse dare mo kidzukanai.
No one will notice anyway.
Practice exercises
1
一生懸命頑張ったところで、どうせ報われないだろう。
Even if I try my hardest, I won't be rewarded anyhow/after all (cynical).
Answer
どうせ
2
一応試してみるけど、どうせ無理だ。
I'll try it just in case, but it's impossible anyhow/after all (cynical).
Answer
どうせ
3
確かに努力はしたけど、どうせ結果は同じだろう。
Certainly, I made an effort, but the result will be the same anyhow/after all (cynical).
Answer
どうせ
4
そもそも彼は来ないだろう。どうせ約束を忘れているに違いない。
He probably won't come in the first place. He must have forgotten the promise anyhow/after all (cynical).
Answer
どうせ
5
文句を言っても、どうせ状況は変わらない。
Even if I complain, the situation won't change anyhow/after all (cynical).
Answer
どうせ