# どうしても: no matter what; at any cost; after all ~

> Learn how to use どうしても, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning no matter what; at any cost, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-doushitemo/

**どうしても** means **no matter what; by all means; at any cost; after all ~**. It is a **JLPT N3** grammar pattern used to **express determination, an unavoidable fact, or a strong preference**.

This grammar point often appears in **neutral** Japanese. If you want to **express determination or an unavoidable fact**, **どうしても** is a useful pattern to learn.

## What does どうしても mean?

Use **どうしても** when you want to **express determination, an unavoidable fact, or a strong preference**.

Natural translations include:
- no matter what; at any cost; after all ~
- no matter what; by all means; at any cost; after all ~
- no matter what; at any cost

## How to form どうしても

どうしても + Verb / どうしても + い-adjective / な-adjective / Noun

Examples of the pattern:
- どうしても行きたい
- どうしても必要だ
- どうしても分からない

## When is どうしても used?

Use **どうしても** in situations like:
- making firm decisions
- explaining unavoidable situations
- insisting on something

Tone and register:
- neutral
- Common in making firm decisions, test questions, and written narratives

## どうしても example sentences

- どうしても行きたい。 — I want to go no matter what.
- どうしても彼に会いたい。 — I want to see him by all means.
- どうしても分からない問題がある。 — There are problems I just can't understand no matter what.
- どうしても諦められない。 — I can't give up no matter what.
- どうしても必要なものだけ買う。 — I'll only buy what is absolutely necessary.

## Nuance of どうしても

The key nuance is **implies unstoppable determination or an unavoidable truth; stronger than simple 必ず**.

This matters because **どうしても carries a sense that the speaker has tried alternatives and concluded that this is the only way. It can sound dramatic or resolute.**.

For example:
- In making firm decisions, it sounds natural and specific.
- Compared with **必ず**, it carries a different weight and implication.

## どうしても vs 必ず

Both **どうしても** and **必ず** can express **no matter what**, but they are different.

**どうしても**:
- means no matter what; emphasizes determination or inevitability despite obstacles

**必ず**:
- means certainly; a neutral statement of expectation or habit

Quick contrast examples:
- 必ず行く。 — I will certainly go.
- どうしても行く。 — I will go no matter what.

## Common mistakes with どうしても

Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using it to mean 'why' in a question (that's the separate どうして)
- Placing it in the wrong position (usually before the verb or adjective)
- Overusing it when 絶対に or 必ず would be less dramatic

## Is どうしても on the JLPT?

Yes. **どうしても** is commonly taught as **JLPT N3** grammar.

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences

## Practice questions for どうしても

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Say you must do something no matter what.
- Express that you can't understand something at all.
- State that you want to meet someone by all means.

## Learning path for どうしても

To learn **どうしても** efficiently, review plain emotion verbs first, then practice patterns where the feeling is automatic, impulsive, or hard to control.

1. First, make sure you can form **どうしても** without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with [てしょうがない・てしかたがない](/blog/n3-te-shou-ga-nai/), [ずにはいられない](/blog/n3-zuni-wa-irarenai/). These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences about surprise, regret, urges, and strong reactions; then check whether replacing **どうしても** with [つい](/blog/n3-tsui/) changes the meaning.

## Related grammar to review next

- [てしょうがない・てしかたがない](/blog/n3-te-shou-ga-nai/) — because it expresses spontaneous feelings, urges, or emotional reactions.
- [ずにはいられない](/blog/n3-zuni-wa-irarenai/) — because it expresses spontaneous feelings, urges, or emotional reactions.
- [つい](/blog/n3-tsui/) — because it expresses spontaneous feelings, urges, or emotional reactions.
- [ふと](/blog/n3-futo/) — because it expresses spontaneous feelings, urges, or emotional reactions.

## Learn どうしても with Hane

If you want to review **どうしても** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)