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どうせ

anyway (resigned), in any case

どうせ + Sentence · どうせ〜なら

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どうせ says the outcome is fixed whatever you do, usually with resignation or cynicism: どうせ間に合わないから、ゆっくり行こう, "we won't make it anyway, so let's take our time".

About yourself, it can be self-pitying: どうせ私には無理だよ, "it's no use, I can't do it anyway".

With なら, it's more positive: "if it's going to happen anyway, let's make the most of it": どうせやるなら、楽しくやろう, "if we're doing it anyway, let's have fun".

Compare せっかく, which values effort and doesn't want to waste it. どうせ has given up on changing the result.

Examples

  • どうせ間まに合あわないから、ゆっくり行いこう。

    We won't make it anyway, so let's take our time.

  • どうせ私わたしには無理むりだよ。

    It's no use, I can't do it anyway.

  • どうせ買かうなら、いい物ものを買かいたい。

    If I'm going to buy one anyway, I want a good one.

  • どうせ誰だれも見みていないんだから。

    Nobody's watching anyway.

  • どうせやるなら、楽たのしくやろう。

    If we're doing it anyway, let's have fun with it.

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