Learning how to express the concept of “no matter how” in Japanese can greatly enhance your language skills and enable you to express a wide range of ideas in different contexts. In this guide, we will explore formal and informal ways to convey “no matter how” in Japanese, providing various tips, examples, and even addressing regional variations where necessary.
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
When it comes to formal situations, such as business meetings, interviews, or when speaking with elders, it’s important to use polite language. Here are a few ways to express “no matter how” formally:
1. どんなに～ても (Donna ni ~temo)
This expression is versatile and commonly used in formal settings. To use it, place the adjective, verb, or noun before どんなに and add ～ても at the end.
Example: どんなに忙しくても、彼は家族のために時間を作ります。
(Donna ni isogashikute mo, kare wa kazoku no tame ni jikan o tsukurimasu.)
No matter how busy he is, he always makes time for his family.
2. いくら～ても (Ikura ~temo)
This expression is similar to どんなに～ても and is used to convey the notion of “no matter how much” or “no matter how many.”
Example: いくら勉強しても、試験の結果が変わりません。
(Ikura benkyou shite mo, shiken no kekka ga kawarimasen.)
No matter how much you study, the test results won’t change.
Informal Expressions
When speaking with friends, family, or in casual situations, you can use more informal expressions to convey “no matter how.”
3. どう～も (Dou ~mo)
This expression is commonly used among friends and peers. Simply add どう before the verb or adjective you want to emphasize.
Example: どう待っても彼は来ない。
(Dou matte mo kare wa konai.)
No matter how long I wait, he won’t come.
4. どんなに～だろうと (Donna ni ~darou to)
This expression is more flexible and can be used in both casual and slightly formal situations. Place どんなに before the adjective or verb, and add ～だろうと at the end.
Example: どんなに難しくても、あきらめないでください。
(Donna ni muzukashikute mo, akiramenai de kudasai.)
No matter how difficult it is, please don’t give up.
Tips and Additional Examples
Here are some tips and additional examples to help you further understand and use “no matter how” in Japanese:
- Use appropriate verb forms: Depending on the verb tense you’re using, modify the auxiliary verb accordingly. For example, instead of ～ても (temo), you can use ～ていても (te ite mo) to express ongoing actions.
- Combine with negative expressions: To emphasize the negation, you can add negative words like まったく (mattaku) or ぜったいに (zettaini) before the expression.
- Consider regional variations: While the expressions mentioned here are widely used throughout Japan, specific regional variations may exist. If you encounter a different expression in a specific region, it’s best to adapt to the local usage.
Additional examples:
5. どんなに高くても (Donna ni takakute mo)
No matter how expensive it is.
6. いくら頑張っても (Ikura ganbatte mo)
No matter how hard you try.
7. どんなに冷たくても (Donna ni tsumetakute mo)
No matter how cold it is.
By familiarizing yourself with these expressions and incorporating them into your Japanese conversations, you’ll enhance your ability to express various ideas without struggling to find the right words. Remember, practice is key, so make sure to use these expressions in different contexts to become more comfortable with them. Enjoy your Japanese language journey, and no matter how challenging it may seem, keep going!
