Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| πάντως | pántos | /ˈpan.dos/ |
| ούτως ή άλλως | oútos í állos | /ˈutos i ˈalos/ |
| όπως και να έχει | ópos kai na échei | |
| εν πάση περιπτώσει | en pási periptósei | /em‿ˈbasi peɾiˈptosi/ /en ˈpasi peɾiˈptosi/ |
| έτσι κι αλλιώς | étsi ki alliós | /ˈetsi caˈʎos/ |
Greek offers various ways to express 'anyway' depending on whether you mean 'regardless', 'no matter how' or are simply using it as a conversational tool. In spoken Greek, πάντως is frequently used as a discourse marker to change the subject or to return to a previous point, much like the English 'anyway'. The phrase όπως και να έχει is used specifically to express the idea of 'no matter how it happens' or 'regardless of how it is done'.
Which one should you use?
While πάντως is a general adverb for 'anyway', έτσι κι αλλιώς is often used when the meaning is 'anyway' in the sense that 'it doesn't matter because the outcome would be the same'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
εν πάση περιπτώσει is an elegant, formal phrase meaning 'in any case' or 'in any event', making it suitable for written or professional contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
πάντως is pronounced as pántos (/ˈpan.dos/). It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The formal phrase εν πάση περιπτώσει is a direct translation, or calque, of the French phrase 'en tout cas'.
- The word πάντως is a remnant of Ancient Greek and originally meant 'by all means' or 'entirely'.
- The word περιπτώσει within the formal phrase εν πάση περιπτώσει has a much more physical origin, originally meaning an 'encountering'.
Examples in context
- Πάντως, θα πρέπει να ολοκληρώσουμε τη συνάντηση πριν τις 5.Anyway, we need to conclude the meeting before 5.
- Εν πάσει περιπτώσει, θα επικοινωνήσουμε μαζί σας αύριο.In any case, we will contact you tomorrow.
- Τέλος πάντων, ας το αφήσουμε και ας συνεχίσουμε.Anyway, let's drop it and move on.
- Πρέπει να το κάνω πάντως.Prepi na to kano pantos.I have to do it anyway.
- Θα πάω πάντως στο πάρτι.Tha pao pantos sto parti.I will go to the party anyway.
- Πάντως ευχαριστώ για τη βοήθεια.Pantos efcharisto gia ti voithia.Anyway, thanks for the help.
Example conversation
Kostas and Maria are discussing a movie they just watched.
- Κώστας KostasΔεν μου άρεσε πολύ η ταινία.Den mou arese poly i tainia.I didn't like the movie very much.
- Μαρία MariaΕμένα μου φάνηκε αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα.Emena mou fanike arketa endiaferousa.I found it quite interesting.
- Κώστας KostasΠάντως, ο φωτογραφισμός ήταν tuyệt vờiος.Pantos, o fotografismos itan telios.Anyway, the cinematography was great.
- Μαρία MariaΣε αυτό συμφωνώ απόλυτα, Κώστα.Se afto symfono apolyta, Kosta.I completely agree with you on that, Kostas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “anyway” translations and entries πάντως, ούτως ή άλλως, όπως και να έχει, εν πάση περιπτώσει, έτσι κι αλλιώς, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ή, εν, εν πάση περιπτώσει, και, να, ούτως, όπως, CC BY-SA 4.0.
