GRAMMAR
どうしても
no matter what
Explanation
NOTE
どうしても is an adverb with two uses:
- With a positive predicate: strong determination — "no matter what", "absolutely want to"
どうしても日本語を上手になりたい。
No matter what, I want to become good at Japanese.
Used here with a volitional verb to express a strong desire or determination to achieve a goal regardless of the effort required.
NOTE
- With a negative predicate: persistent failure or impossibility — "no matter what I try", "just can't"
どうしても眠れない。
No matter what I try, I just can't sleep.
Used with a negative potential verb to indicate that despite all efforts, the action remains impossible.
STRUCTURE
どうしても ...
どうしてもあの大学に入りたい。
Doushite mo ano daigaku ni hairitai.
I absolutely want to get into that university.
どうしても彼を許せない。
Doushite mo kare o yurusenai.
No matter what, I just can't forgive him.
どうしてもこの問題が解けない。
Doushite mo kono mondai ga tokenai.
No matter what I try, I can't solve this problem.
Practice exercises
1
明日は何としても合格したい。
I want to pass the exam no matter what tomorrow.
Answer
何としても
2
この試験に如何しても合格したい。
I want to pass this exam no matter what.
Answer
如何しても
3
どうしてもこの映画を見たい。
No matter what, I want to see this movie.
Answer
どうしても
4
どうしても彼女のことが忘れられない。
No matter what I try, I can't forget about her.
Answer
どうしても
5
どうしてもあの会社に入りたい。
I absolutely want to join that company.
Answer
どうしても
6
どうしても彼を許せない。
No matter what, I just can't forgive him.
Answer
どうしても
7
どうしてもこの問題が解けない。
No matter what I try, I can't solve this problem.
Answer
どうしても
8
どうしてもあの大学院に進学したくて、毎日必死に勉強している。
I absolutely want to go to that graduate school, so I study desperately every day.
Answer
どうしても