どうも

adverb

quite; really; mostly

Expresses a vague sense of 'somehow' or 'kind of', often when the speaker has an impression but cannot pinpoint the reason. Frequently used with ようだ, そうだ, らしい, or negative forms.

• 今日きょうはどうも調ちょう子しが悪わるい。

  I just don't feel quite right today.

• どうも雨あめが降ふりそうだ。

  It really looks like rain.

adverb

somehow

Used when the speaker cannot clearly explain a situation or feeling; 'for some reason' or 'in some way'. Often paired with ～ない or ～ようだ.

• どうもうまく説せつ明めいできない。

  Somehow I can't explain it well.

adverb

no matter how hard one tries; try as one might

Used in the pattern どうも～ない to mean 'no matter how much one tries, it doesn't happen'. Similar to どうしても～ない but slightly less emphatic.

See also: どうしても

• どうも彼かれの名な前まえが思おもい出だせない。

  Try as I might, I can't remember his name.

interjection

hello; goodbye; greetings

Casual, multipurpose greeting used when meeting or parting. Can also be a vague acknowledgment. Less formal than こんにちは or さようなら.

• やあ、どうも。

  Hey, hello.

• それじゃ、どうも。

  Well then, goodbye.