Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| どうでもいい！ | Dōdemo ii! |
| 勝手にしろ | katte ni shiro |
| ご勝手に！ | Gokatte ni! |
Japanese uses different phrases to express "whatever" based on the intent. どうでもいい！ is used when a speaker finds a topic or a choice completely unimportant or irrelevant. 勝手にしろ is used to dismissively tell someone to do as they please, often during an argument. You might also use めんどくさい (mendokusai) colloquially to express that something is too much trouble or that you simply cannot be bothered.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase どうでもいい literally breaks down into どう (how/anyway), demo (even if) and ii (is good/fine).
Which one should you use?
While どうでもいい expresses general indifference toward a situation or topic, 勝手にしろ is a dismissive "do as you please" specifically directed at someone's actions.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 勝手にしろ is blunt and often rude, typically used in arguments. For a formal and polite way to assure someone that they can choose or do anything they like without it bothering you, use なんでもかまいません (nandemo kamaimasen). For a casual and friendly version of "whatever," you can use なんでもいいよ (nandemo ii yo).
How do you pronounce it?
Dōdemo ii!
Did you know?
- The word 勝手 in 勝手にしろ is the same word used in 勝手口 (katte-guchi), which refers to a 'back door' or 'service entrance' used for convenience.
- Using the phrase どうでもいい can actually be more offensive than a direct command because it signals that the person or the topic is completely worthless to you.
- Unlike the English 'whatever', which can be a passive-aggressive shrug, using 勝手にしろ in a heated argument is often seen as a definitive 'social severance' of the relationship.
Examples in context
- 勝手にしろ。Do whatever you want.This sentence shows how to use 勝手にしろ to tell someone to do whatever they want.Tatoeba #3597466 by tommy__san, translation #70894 by CK
- どうでもいい！Whatever!This sentence demonstrates the use of どうでもいい to express indifference.Tatoeba #3602166 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #491243 by aandrusiak
- 申し訳ありませんが、どうでもいいです。I'm sorry, but it doesn't matter to me.
- ご遠慮なく、なんでもかまいませんよ。Please feel free to choose or do anything you like.
- どこのレストランに行く？ なんでもいいよ。Where should we go to eat? Whatever works.
- 毎日勉強するのはめんどくさい。Studying every day is a hassle/bother.
- もう、どうでもいい！mou, dou demo ii!Geez, I don't care anymore!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Hiroto are arguing about which movie to watch.
- 陽葵 Himari私はこっちの映画が見たいよ。watashi wa kocchi no eiga ga mitai yo.I want to see this movie.
- 大翔 Hirotoでも、あっちの方が面白そうだよ。demo, acchi no hou ga omoshirosou da yo.But that one looks more interesting.
- 陽葵 Himariもういいよ、どうでもいい！mou ii yo, dou demo ii!Forget it, whatever!
- 大翔 Hirotoそんなに怒らなくてもいいじゃん。sonna ni okoranakute mo ii jan.You don't have to get so angry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whatever” translations and entries 勝手にしろ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
