Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Anyway" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "anyway", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
とにかく
とにかく (tonikaku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
何しろ
なにしろ (nanishiro)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "anyway" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between とにかく and 何しろ.
In Japanese, とにかく (とにかく (tonikaku)) is typically associated with "anyway, anyhow, at any rate, in any case" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used to change the topic, dismiss previous points, or emphasize urgency/priority..
On the other hand, 何しろ (なにしろ (nanishiro)) maps to "anyway, in any case, at any rate; after all; because, as you know" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 理由を強調したり、状況を要約したりする際に使われます。「何と言っても」「とにかく」に近い意味。Used to emphasize a reason or summarize a situation. Similar to "after all" or "anyway.". A literal translation of "anyway" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "とにかく"
細かいことは後にして、とにかく始めてみよう。
Let's put the details aside for later and just start anyway.
Bilingual Context for "何しろ"
明日は試験だから、何しろ早く寝なさい。
Tomorrow is the exam, so anyway, go to bed early.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "細かいことは後にして、 ＿＿＿ 始めてみよう。" (Meaning: "Let's put the details aside for later and just start anyway.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "とにかく" fits here because it means "anyway, anyhow, at any rate, in any case" in the context of: "Let's put the details aside for later and just start anyway.". "何しろ" represents "anyway, in any case, at any rate; after all; because, as you know".