1.
at any rate; anyhow; in any case
Used to set aside complications, objections, or details and focus on what matters most or what should be done first.
An emphatic variant of とにかく (anyway; at any rate). The extended form とにもかくにも adds emphasis and a slightly more literary or deliberate tone. Both expressions are used to redirect attention to the most important point, brushing aside secondary concerns or complications.
Usage
- Typically placed at the beginning of a sentence
- Signals a shift to what the speaker considers the priority
- Slightly more emphatic and formal than とにかく
Similar words
- とにかく: anyway; at any rate — the standard, shorter form; more common in casual speech
- いずれにせよ: in any case — more formal, used in writing and speeches
- ともかく: at any rate — near-synonym of とにかく, sometimes used in slightly more formal contexts
- なんにせよ: in any event — somewhat formal, emphasizes regardless of circumstances