Translation guide
Expresses that someone succeeds in doing something, often despite difficulty or limited resources. Japanese uses various constructions depending on the nuance: achieving through effort, barely succeeding, finding a way, or ending up doing something.
To express that someone accomplishes something through effort or ability, often with a sense of overcoming difficulty.
A standard way to say 'can do' or 'is able to do'. When used in past tense (〜ことができた), it often implies 'managed to do'.
彼は難しい試験に合格することができた。
He managed to pass the difficult exam.
I finally managed to finish my homework.
Adverb meaning 'somehow' or 'barely'. Often used with a verb to indicate managing to do something with difficulty.
なんとか電車に間に合った。
I managed to catch the train.
彼はなんとかその問題を解決した。
He managed to solve the problem.
Similar to なんとか, meaning 'somehow' or 'in some way'. Slightly more formal or literary.
どうにかして彼を助けたい。
I want to manage to help him somehow.
Indicates doing something completely or unintentionally. In some contexts, it can imply 'ended up managing to do', but often carries a nuance of regret or unexpected completion.
Often implies unintended or regrettable completion, so use carefully for 'manage to do'.
一晩でその本を読んでしまった。
I managed to read the whole book in one night (and now I'm done).
To emphasize that success was achieved only with great effort or just barely.
Means 'barely' or 'just barely'. Used when success was very close to failure.
かろうじて試験に合格した。
I barely managed to pass the exam.
彼はかろうじて命を取り留めた。
He barely managed to survive.
Means 'at last' or 'finally'. Implies that the action took a long time or much effort.
Similar to やっと, but slightly more formal. Means 'finally' or 'at length'.
To express that someone arranges or contrives to do something, often implying resourcefulness.
Means 'by some means' or 'somehow or other'. Emphasizes finding a way.
どうにかして彼に連絡を取ってください。
Please manage to get in touch with him somehow.
Similar to どうにかして, meaning 'somehow or other'. Slightly more casual.
なんとかして明日までに終わらせます。
I'll manage to finish it by tomorrow somehow.
Means 'make sure to do' or 'try to do'. In past tense, it can imply 'managed to do' by making an effort.
毎日運動するようにしている。
I manage to exercise every day.
To express that something happens as a result of circumstances, often without deliberate effort.
Often used for unintended or accidental completion. Can sometimes be translated as 'ended up managing to do'.
Not always positive; often implies regret.
つい食べ過ぎてしまった。
I ended up eating too much (managed to overeat).
Means 'it has been decided that' or 'it turns out that'. Can imply that circumstances led to a certain outcome.
来年日本に行くことになった。
It's been arranged that I'll go to Japan next year (I managed to get the opportunity).
All three mean 'somehow' or 'barely', but なんとか is most common in spoken Japanese. どうにか is slightly more formal. かろうじて emphasizes a very narrow margin of success.
なんとか間に合った。
I managed to make it in time (somehow).
どうにか間に合った。
I managed to make it in time (by some means).
かろうじて間に合った。
I barely made it in time.
There is no single Japanese verb that directly corresponds to 'manage to do'. Using 管理する (kanri suru, 'to manage' as in 'to supervise') is incorrect. Instead, use adverbs like なんとか or verb patterns like 〜ことができる.
I finally managed to finish work.
ようやく目的地に着いた。
We finally managed to reach our destination.