どうも
どうも
adverb / interjection
thanks, somehow, very
1.
thanks, thank you
A casual expression of gratitude.
どうも、久しぶり！
Hey, long time no see!
どうも、助かりました。
Thanks, that helped.
どうも、お待たせしました。
Sorry, thanks for waiting.
あ、どうも。
Oh, thanks.
どうも、お世話になりました。
Thank you for everything.
2.
somehow, for some reason
Indicates uncertainty about a reason.
どうも調子が悪い。
I somehow don't feel well.
どうもうまくいかない。
Somehow it's not going well.
どうも彼は嘘を言っているようだ。
It seems like he's lying for some reason.
どうも信じられない。
Somehow I can't believe it.
どうも気になる。
It bothers me for some reason.
3.
very, quite
Used to emphasize an apology or greeting.
どうもありがとうございます。
Thank you very much.
どうもすみません。
I'm very sorry.
どうも失礼しました。
I'm very sorry for the rudeness.
どうもご親切に。
Thank you very much for your kindness.
どうもお疲れ様でした。
Thank you very much for your hard work.
どうも is a versatile word with three distinct functions: casual greeting/thanks, emphasis, and expressing vague uncertainty.
AS GREETING/THANKS (casual):
Used alone, どうも serves as a casual all-purpose greeting or thanks. It can mean "hi," "thanks," or "sorry" depending on context.
- どうも！: Hi! / Thanks!
- どうも、助かりました: Thanks, that helped.
AS EMPHASIZER:
Strengthens apologies, thanks, and greetings:
- どうもありがとう: thank you very much
- どうもすみません: I'm very sorry
- どうも失礼しました: I'm very sorry for being rude
AS UNCERTAINTY MARKER:
Expresses a vague feeling or impression — "somehow," "for some reason":
- どうも変だ: something seems off
- どうもうまくいかない: somehow it's not going well
- どうも彼は嘘をついているようだ: it seems like he's lying
REGISTER:
どうも alone as a greeting is casual. Combined with ありがとうございます or すみません, it is appropriate in polite contexts.