How to Say "No Matter What" in Japanese

何があっても

nani ga attemo

The English phrase "no matter what" can be translated into Japanese as 何があっても (nani ga attemo).

何があっても is used to express that something will be done or will remain true under any circumstances, regardless of what occurs.

Meaning: under any circumstances, whatever happens (phrase)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of 何 (what), が (subject marker) and あっても (even if there is or happens).

While 何があっても is common, you may encounter the more formal or literary version 何があろうと.

The phrase utilizes the ~ても (~temo) form, which expresses a concessive meaning such as "even if" or "no matter".

nani ga attemo

When expressing 'no matter what' in a romantic or dramatic context, Japanese speakers often omit the final verb of the sentence entirely. The phrase 何があっても… left hanging implies a resolve so strong that words are unnecessary.
While 何があっても is used for events, Japanese uses a different structure, 誰が何と言おうと, to express 'no matter what anyone says'. The phrasing changes based on whether the 'what' is a situation or a spoken word.
In many anime and manga, characters use the more emphatic 何があろうと to signal a dramatic, life-or-death vow rather than a casual promise.

何があっても君の味方だよ。
I'll stand by you no matter what happens.
This sentence shows how to express support for someone using 何があっても.
Tatoeba #9073697 by small_snow, translation #417017 by CK
トムは何があっても行くつもりだ。
Tom is planning to go, no matter what.
This sentence demonstrates using 何があっても to express a plan of action.
Tatoeba #1488024 by bunbuku, translation #12559057 by CK
何があっても、決心は変わりません。
I shall not change my mind, no matter what happens.
This sentence illustrates how to express an unchanging resolve with 何があっても.
Tatoeba #188163 by tommy__san, translation #1357215 by Ricardo14
どんなことがあろうと、私たちは最善を尽くします。
No matter what happens, we will do our best.
友達の支えがあるから、何があっても大丈夫だよ。
With my friends' support, I'll be fine no matter what happens.
何があっても、約束は守るべきだ。
No matter what happens, we must keep our promises.
絶対に諦めないよ！
I won't give up, no matter what!
このゲームはどんなに難しくても、最後までやり抜くつもりだ。
I intend to play this game until the end, no matter how difficult it gets.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yui and Ren are talking about a difficult challenge.

結衣 Yui

何があっても、最後まで諦めないよ。
Nani ga atte mo, saigo made akiramenai yo.
No matter what, I won't give up until the end.
蓮 Ren

結衣なら、きっとできるよ。
Yui nara, kitto dekiru yo.
If it's you, Yui, I'm sure you can do it.
結衣 Yui

蓮、応援してくれてありがとう。
Ren, ouen shite kurete arigatou.
Ren, thank you for supporting me.
蓮 Ren

いつでも君を信じているよ。
Itsu demo kimi o shinjite iru yo.
I believe in you, always.

Sources

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