Translation guide
Expresses that something is true regardless of degree, manner, or extent. In Japanese, this is typically formed with question words plus ても/でも or とも, or with patterns like どんなに〜ても.
To say that something happens or is true no matter how much or to what degree something else occurs.
The most common and versatile pattern. どんなに means 'how much' or 'to what degree', and 〜ても is the 'even if' form. Used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
どんなに頑張っても、彼には勝てない。
No matter how hard I try, I can't beat him.
No matter how expensive it is, I want to buy it.
Often used for amount or frequency. いくら means 'how much' (often money or effort), and 〜ても is 'even if'. Slightly more colloquial than どんなに.
いくら食べても、お腹がいっぱいにならない。
No matter how much I eat, I don't get full.
Formal/literary equivalent of どんなに. Often used in writing or speeches.
いかに困難でも、諦めない。
No matter how difficult it is, I won't give up.
To say that something is true no matter in what way or by what method it is done.
どう means 'how' or 'in what way'. Combined with 〜ても, it means 'no matter how (one does something)'.
どう考えても、それは間違っている。
No matter how you think about it, that's wrong.
どう説明しても、わかってもらえなかった。
No matter how I explained it, they didn't understand.
More explicit and slightly formal version of どう〜ても. どのように means 'in what way'.
どのように努力しても、結果は同じだ。
No matter how you try, the result is the same.
To say that something is true no matter which option or type is chosen.
どれだけ means 'to what extent' or 'how much'. Similar to どんなに but often emphasizes quantity or degree.
どれだけ練習しても、上手にならない。
No matter how much I practice, I don't get better.
Formal/literary version of どれだけ. Often used in writing.
どれほど願っても、叶わない夢もある。
No matter how much you wish, some dreams don't come true.
To emphasize that even an extreme degree of an adjective doesn't change the situation.
Used with adjectives. どんなに + adjective in て-form + も.
どんなに辛くても、泣かない。
No matter how painful it is, I won't cry.
Also used with adjectives, often implying repeated attempts or degree.
いくら安くても、必要ないものは買わない。
No matter how cheap it is, I don't buy things I don't need.
A common fixed expression meaning 'by any standard' or 'no matter how you consider it'.
A very common phrase meaning 'no matter how you look at it' or 'by any measure'.
どう見ても、彼が悪い。
No matter how you look at it, he's in the wrong.
どんなに is more general and can be used with any verb or adjective. いくら often implies a quantity, cost, or repeated effort, and is slightly more colloquial. どんなに is safer for beginners.
どんなに走っても、間に合わない。
No matter how fast I run, I won't make it in time.
いくら走っても、間に合わない。
No matter how much I run, I won't make it in time. (implies repeated attempts or distance)
どうしても means 'no matter what' or 'by all means', not 'no matter how'. It is used for strong determination or inevitability, not for degree or manner.
どうしても行きたい。
I want to go no matter what.