とにかく

とにかく
adverb
anyway, at any rate
1. anyway, at any rate, anyhow
Used to set aside complications or details and focus on the main point or immediate action. Expresses 'regardless of other considerations'.
とにかく試(ため)してみよう。
Anyway, let's try it.
とにかく電話(でんわ)してみよう。
Anyway, let's try calling.
とにかく食(た)べてみて。
Anyway, just try eating it.
とにかく急(いそ)いで！
Just hurry up!
とにかくやってみなければわからない。
At any rate, you won't know until you try.
2. in any case, for now
Used to introduce a conclusion or decision when the speaker wants to move past uncertainties.
理由(りゆう)はわからないが、とにかく彼(かれ)は怒(おこ)っている。
I don't know the reason, but at any rate, he's angry.
とにかく今(いま)は休(やす)んでください。
In any case, please rest for now.
とにかく安全(あんぜん)が一番(いちばん)だ。
At any rate, safety is the most important thing.
とにかく結果(けっか)は出(で)た。
In any case, the results are in.
とにかく彼(かれ)は無事(ぶじ)だった。
In any case, he was safe.

USAGE: とにかく is used when you want to:
1. Set aside complications and focus on what's important
2. Make a quick decision without overthinking
3. Move past uncertainty to a conclusion

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • とにかく〜（て）みる (let's just try ~)
  • とにかく〜だ (at any rate, ~ is the case)
  • とにかく今(いま)は (for now, at least)

KANJI FORM: Can also be written as 兎に角(とにかく), though hiragana is more common.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ともかく - essentially the same meaning, slightly more formal
  • いずれにせよ - in any case (more formal)
  • 何(なに)はともあれ - in any case, first of all
  • さておき - setting aside

NUANCE: Often implies 'don't overthink it' or 'let's just do this first'.

Related Words

Contrast: とりあえず (for now, for the time being)
Contrast: 何(なに)しろ (at any rate (explanatory))
core
Added 2026.1.12 18:47 · Revised 2026.6.8 11:21
03000/03464_tonikaku