I have recently stumbled across the word どうしたって which according to the dictionary means "by all means, no matter what, at any rate". I was wondering how its usage differs from 是非 "certainly, without fail" as they both have very similar meanings. Does one have a positive connotation and the other negative? Are they interchangeable or not? If anyone could tell me the difference I would greatly appreciate it.
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1Welcome Ethan! Though your intro and greeting were definitely well-received, I have edited them out because we tend to keep questions as brief as possible and to the point. But this is certainly a good question, and the type of content we enjoy around here.– istrasciCommented Jan 24, 2023 at 2:44
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1 Answer
You are close. These are used in different types of sentences.
どうしたって (or どうしても) is usually followed by something undesirable or inevitable.
- どうしたって無理だ。
No matter what, it's impossible. - 他人の気持ちを理解するのはどうしたって難しい。
At any rate, it's hard to understand the feelings of other people.
是非 is an adverb that is used exclusively when you strongly invite or recommend something. I feel it's weaker than 必ず ("without fail"), though.
- 是非パーティーに来てください。
Please come to our party! - このゲームは是非プレイするべきです。
You should definitely play this game. - 是非！
Yes, please do! / Definitely!
(after being asked whether they should do something)
(Note that both どうしたって and 是非 have other usages.)
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2@istrasci 是非とも is simply stronger, but I think 是非 is usually enough. Overusing 是非とも may sound like a salesperson's talk.– narutoCommented Jan 24, 2023 at 2:49
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Would you ever say 是非 with friends or is it mainly for polite speech? Commented Jan 24, 2023 at 5:42
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1@OtheJared 是非 is not particularly formal, but something like 絶対 may be preferred in slangy speech.– narutoCommented Jan 24, 2023 at 6:29