1.
no matter what; at all costs; by any means
Expresses strong determination to achieve something regardless of obstacles or difficulty.
何としても合格したい。
I want to pass no matter what.
何としても明日までに終わらせなければならない。
I must finish this by tomorrow no matter what.
チームは何としても優勝するという強い気持ちで試合に臨んだ。
The team went into the match with a strong determination to win the championship at all costs.
USAGE:
Expresses strong resolve or urgency. Often followed by verbs expressing desire (～たい) or obligation (～なければならない). Similar in meaning to 是が非でも but more colloquial.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 何としても成功させる (to make it succeed no matter what)
- 何としても守る (to protect at all costs)
- 何としてでも (even stronger variant with でも)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- どうしても: no matter what — similar meaning but slightly less emphatic
- 是が非でも: by all means — more literary and formal