어떻게든지

The Korean word 어떻게든지 (eotteoh-ge-deun-ji) is a powerful adverbial expression that translates most closely to 'anyway,' 'by all means,' 'somehow,' or 'no matter how.' It is used when a speaker expresses a strong determination to achieve a result, regardless of the difficulty or the specific methods required. It is fundamentally composed of the adverb '어떻게' (how) and the grammatical particle '-든지,' which indicates that the choice or the specific manner does not matter. When you use this word, you are signaling to your listener that the outcome is the priority, and you are willing to explore every possible avenue to reach that goal. It carries a sense of resilience and resourcefulness.

Core Nuance

The primary nuance is 'unrestricted methodology.' Whether the path is easy or hard, traditional or creative, the speaker intends to find a way.

In daily conversation, '어떻게든지' is often shortened to '어떻게든' in informal or rapid speech, but the full form '어떻게든지' adds an extra layer of emphasis and formality, making the determination sound more resolute. It is frequently paired with verbs that involve achievement, solving problems, or reaching a destination. For example, if you are late for a meeting, you might tell your boss you will get there '어떻게든지.' This tells them that even if there is traffic or if the bus breaks down, you will find a taxi or walk to ensure you arrive. It is a word of commitment.

Common Contexts

Used in business negotiations, academic goals, personal promises, and emergency situations where a solution must be found.

Furthermore, the word reflects a cultural value in Korea often associated with 'grit' or 'indomitable spirit.' When someone says they will do something '어떻게든지,' they are displaying a proactive attitude. It is not just about the method, but about the will. In a society that values hard work and results, this word is a staple of motivational speech. You will hear it in sports, where a coach tells the team to win '어떻게든지,' or in family settings where parents promise to support their children's education '어떻게든지.' It bridges the gap between a wish and a reality through sheer force of will.

Finally, it is important to distinguish this from words that simply mean 'somehow' in a passive sense. '어떻게든지' is active. It implies that the subject is the agent of change. If something happens by chance, you wouldn't typically use this word. You use it when you are the one pulling the strings to make the 'how' happen. It is the verbal equivalent of rolling up your sleeves and getting to work.

Using 어떻게든지 correctly requires understanding its placement and its relationship with the following verb. As an adverb, its most natural position is immediately before the verb it modifies, or at the very beginning of the sentence to set the tone for the entire statement. Because it ends in the particle '-든지,' it functions as a connective that links the concept of 'how' to an open-ended set of possibilities. It tells the listener that the specific 'how' is irrelevant compared to the action itself.

Sentence Structure

[Subject] + [Object] + 어떻게든지 + [Verb/Adjective]. Example: 나는 그를 어떻게든지 도와주고 싶다 (I want to help him somehow).

One of the most common patterns is using '어떻게든지' with the '-(으)려고' (intending to) or '-아야/어야 한다' (must) endings. This combination reinforces the sense of obligation and effort. For instance, '어떻게든지 합격하려고 노력 중이에요' (I am trying to pass somehow). Here, the adverb provides the intensity, while the grammar ending provides the direction of the effort. You can also use it in questions, though it is less common. In a question like '어떻게든지 할 수 있겠어요?' (Can you do it somehow?), the speaker is asking if there is any possible way, even a difficult one, to achieve the task.

Grammar Pairing

Often paired with: -려고 하다 (intend to), -고 싶다 (want to), -아야 하다 (must), -ㄹ 수 있다 (can).

Another sophisticated way to use this word is in the expanded form '어떻게 해서든지.' This adds the verb '해서' (doing), which literally means 'by doing [something] somehow.' This version is even more emphatic and is used when the speaker wants to highlight that they will take specific actions to ensure the result. In formal writing or speeches, '어떻게든지' is preferred over the shortened '어떻게든' because the three-syllable ending '-든지' provides a more rhythmic and complete sound to the sentence, which is valued in Korean rhetoric.

When constructing sentences, remember that '어떻게든지' usually refers to the effort of the subject. If you say '날씨가 어떻게든지 좋아질 거예요,' it sounds a bit strange because the weather doesn't have 'will.' Instead, you would use it for human actions. However, in poetic or highly colloquial contexts, it can occasionally be used to mean 'no matter what happens' in a more general sense, but sticking to human-driven effort is the safest and most common usage for learners at the B1 level.

In the real world, 어떻게든지 is a staple of Korean media, office culture, and heartfelt interpersonal exchanges. If you watch Korean dramas (K-Dramas), you will hear this word during the 'climax' of an episode. Typically, the protagonist, facing overwhelming odds, will look into the camera or at their companion and say, '내가 어떻게든지 해결할게' (I will solve it somehow). This is a classic line that establishes the character's reliability and heroics. It is also common in historical dramas (Saeguk), where characters swear loyalty or promise to protect the kingdom '어떻게든지.'

Workplace Usage

In Korean office culture, which often emphasizes 'Kkan-bu' (partnership) and meeting deadlines, a manager might ask, '오늘 안에 어떻게든지 끝낼 수 있겠어요?' (Can you finish it somehow within today?).

You will also encounter this word in news reports or documentaries when discussing social issues or survivors of disasters. A reporter might describe how a community is trying to '어떻게든지' rebuild after a flood. In this context, it evokes a sense of sympathy and admiration for the human spirit. It’s also very common in sports commentary. When a team is losing but starts a comeback, the commentator might shout that they are '어떻게든지' trying to score a goal. It captures the frantic, high-energy effort of the players.

Daily Life

Parents talking about their children's future, friends encouraging each other during exam periods, or someone trying to fix a broken appliance.

In the K-pop world, idols often use this word in interviews or variety shows like 'Run BTS' or 'Knowing Bros.' When given a difficult mission or game, they will shout '어떻게든지 해낼게요!' (I'll do it somehow!) to show their competitive spirit. It makes the celebrity seem hardworking and relatable to the fans. Listening for this word in variety shows is a great way to hear its natural intonation. It usually starts with a rising tone on '어' and ends with a firm, falling tone on '지,' punctuating the speaker's resolve.

Whether it's a high-stakes corporate meeting or a casual chat between friends about making it to a concert, '어떻게든지' is the go-to word for expressing that 'where there's a will, there's a way' attitude that is so central to Korean communication.

Even intermediate learners often stumble when using 어떻게든지, primarily due to spelling confusion or using it in contexts where a different 'anyway' is required. The most frequent error is confusing the spelling with '어떻게던지.' In modern Korean, the particle for choices or 'no matter what' is always '-든지,' while '-던지' is used for reflecting on past events that caused wonder or surprise (e.g., '얼마나 춥던지' - 'You have no idea how cold it was'). Using '던' instead of '든' is a common mistake even for native speakers in casual texting, but it is grammatically incorrect.

Spelling Trap

Wrong: 어떻게던지 (Incorrect spelling). Right: 어떻게든지 (Correct spelling based on the '-든지' particle).

Another common mistake is using '어떻게든지' when you actually mean 'anyway' in the sense of 'nevertheless' or 'regardless of what was just said.' In English, we use 'anyway' to change the subject (e.g., 'Anyway, let's go'). In Korean, '어떻게든지' cannot be used this way. For changing the subject or saying 'regardless,' you should use '어쨌든' or '그건 그렇고.' Using '어떻게든지' to change the subject will confuse Koreans because they will be waiting for you to explain the 'how' or the 'effort' you are going to make.

Misuse of 'Anyway'

Don't use '어떻게든지' to mean 'Anyway, back to the topic.' Use '어쨌든' (anyway/at any rate) for that purpose.

Learners also sometimes confuse '어떻게든지' with '어떡해.' '어떡해' is a contraction of '어떻게 해' (What should I do?), which is an exclamation of worry. '어떻게든지' is an adverb of method. You cannot use '어떻게든지' as a standalone exclamation to mean 'Oh no, what do I do?' This is a frequent point of confusion because they sound somewhat similar in fast speech. Remember: '어떡해' is for the problem, '어떻게든지' is for the solution.

Lastly, be careful with the intensity. '어떻게든지' is quite strong. If you use it for very trivial things, like 'I will somehow eat this apple,' it might sound overly dramatic unless you are joking. Use it for things that actually require some level of effort or resourcefulness to achieve.

Korean has a rich variety of words that express determination or 'somehow,' and knowing the subtle differences between 어떻게든지 and its synonyms will greatly improve your fluency. The most direct alternative is 어떻게든, which is simply the shortened form. It is used in about 80% of casual conversations. However, if you are writing a formal essay or giving a speech, the full '어떻게든지' is much better. Another common variation is 어떻게 해서든지, which emphasizes the 'action' taken to achieve the result.

어떻게든지 vs. 어쨌든

'어떻게든지' focuses on the **method** (by any means). '어쨌든' focuses on the **result** or the fact that previous details don't matter (at any rate/anyway).

If you want to express a much stronger, almost desperate determination, you can use 기어이 or 기어코. These words imply 'finally' or 'in the end, no matter what,' often with a sense of overcoming great obstacles. While '어떻게든지' is about finding a way, '기어코' is about the stubbornness of the person. Another word is 무슨 일이 있어도, which literally means 'no matter what happens.' This is a phrase rather than a single word, and it is used for absolute promises where external circumstances won't change the outcome.

Comparison Table

• 어떻게든지: Focus on finding a method/way.
• 아무쪼록: A polite way to say 'please somehow' (often in requests).
• 반드시: Focus on the certainty (definitely/surely).
• 무슨 수단과 방법을 가리지 않고: An idiom meaning 'by using any means and methods' (often has a slightly negative connotation of being ruthless).

For learners, it's also worth noting 어찌 됐든. This is a very common spoken form of 'anyway' or 'however it turned out.' It is slightly more informal than '어떻게든지' and is often used when reflecting on a situation that didn't go as planned but you want to focus on the current state. In summary, '어떻게든지' is the 'problem-solver's word,' while its alternatives serve different roles in managing the flow of conversation or the intensity of one's will.