1.
above all; most importantly; without a doubt
Used to single out the most outstanding or decisive point in an argument or description. Literally "no matter what one says," it dismisses other considerations and asserts the main point.
夏は何といってもビールだ。
When it comes to summer, nothing beats beer.
この店の売りは、何といっても値段の安さだ。
This shop's selling point is, above all, its low prices.
彼女の魅力は何といっても誰にでも優しいところだ。
Her greatest charm is, without a doubt, that she's kind to everyone.
Used to emphasize the single most important or compelling factor. Often appears at the start of a clause or right before the highlighted noun phrase, frequently in the pattern AはなんといってもB ("as for A, above all it's B").
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ～は何といっても～: as for ~, above all it's ~
- 何といっても～が一番: above all, ~ is the best
- 何といっても～の良さ: the great thing about ~ above all
SIMILAR WORDS:
- やはり / やっぱり: as expected; still — confirms expectation rather than ranking importance
- 特に: especially — flags one item among several, weaker emphasis
- なにより: more than anything — close in meaning; slightly more emotional