Meaning & usage
The adverb どうせ expresses resignation that the result will be the same whatever happens, often translated as anyway or after all. It appears at the start of a clause before verbs, adjectives, or nouns and requires no conjugation, but it frequently pairs with patterns like なら, んだ, だろう, or ても to stress inevitability. It carries a negative or giving up tone, so using it in neutral or formal offers can sound rude or pessimistic.
Example sentences 8
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どうせ私なんてこの世界には必要ないんだ。
This world doesn't need me anyway.
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どうせみんな死ぬんだ。
We're all going to die anyway.
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どうせ行くんでしょ。
I daresay you are going to go no matter what.
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どうせやるんなら、早ければ早いほどいいよ。
If you're planning on doing it anyway, the sooner, the better.
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どうせ言っても分からないじゃん。
Even if I said it, you wouldn't understand it anyway.
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どうせたいしたことない割引だろう。
I don't think it'll be much of a discount anyhow.
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録画しても、どうせ観ないんだろうなあ。
Even if I recorded it, I probably wouldn't watch it anyway.
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友達なんか要らない。だってどうせ裏切られるだけだもん。
Who needs friends! They'll just betray you in the end.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 3 past exam questions.
