どうしても

どうしても is an adverb that expresses strong resolve, inevitability, or inability despite effort. Its meaning shifts depending on whether it appears with an affirmative or negative predicate.

With affirmative predicates – "no matter what" / "at any cost"

When used with affirmative verbs, どうしても expresses strong determination or desire – the speaker insists on doing something regardless of obstacles.

This usage conveys that the speaker's will is firm and they are not willing to compromise.

With negative predicates – "no matter how hard one tries, can't..."

When paired with a negative verb, どうしても expresses inability despite repeated effort or desire. It conveys frustration that something simply cannot be achieved.

This is one of the most common usages of どうしても in everyday conversation.

Expressing inevitability – "inevitably" / "naturally"

どうしても can also describe situations where something unavoidably or inevitably happens, without implying personal will or effort.

In this usage, どうしても signals that something is a natural or unavoidable consequence of the circumstances.

Notes

• どうしても is composed of どうして (why / how) + も (even), literally meaning "even however one does it."
• It is used in both casual and polite speech without any change in form.
• Be careful not to confuse it with どうしても as a question form – in questions, どうしてもきごう？ can simply mean "Why?" (informal/emphatic).