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A Como Dé Lugar and Other Ways to Say “No Matter What” in Spanish
Some of these expressions mean “whatever it takes.” Others mean “we have no choice.” Here is how to tell the difference.
You need to get home tonight. The train may not be running, and a taxi will cost more than you wanted to spend. But you have decided: you are getting home.
In Spanish, you could say:
Voy a llegar a como dé lugar.
I’m going to get there one way or another.
But that is not your only option. Spanish has several expressions that can sound similar in English. Some show determination. Some accept that things may not go as planned. Others say there is simply no alternative.
Some of the most popular expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A como dé lugar | “One way or another”; “by whatever means it takes.” The method is left open. | Voy a llegar a como dé lugar. I’ll get there one way or another. |
| Cueste lo que cueste | “Whatever it costs” or “whatever it takes.” Emphasizes the price, effort, or sacrifice. | Voy a terminarlo, cueste lo que cueste. I’ll finish it, whatever it takes. |
| Sea como sea | “However it turns out” or “either way.” Can show determination or acceptance of an uncertain outcome. | Sea como sea, mañana hablamos. Either way, we’ll talk tomorrow. |
| Como sea | “Somehow,” “any way we can,” or “anyway.” Its meaning depends heavily on context. | Tenemos que llegar como sea. We have to get there somehow. |
| A toda costa | “At all costs.” Strong and sometimes dramatic; suggests considerable effort or sacrifice. | Querían ganar a toda costa. They wanted to win at all costs. |
| Por las buenas o por las malas | “The easy way or the hard way.” Can imply pressure or force; often sounds like a warning. | Vas a devolverlo por las buenas o por las malas. You’re returning it the easy way or the hard way. |
| De cualquier manera | “Anyway,” “in any case,” or “either way.” Usually less forceful than the expressions about determination. | Si llueve, de cualquier manera vamos. If it rains, we’re going anyway. |
| Pase lo que pase | “Whatever happens.” Focuses on possible events or setbacks, not the method or cost. | Pase lo que pase, te voy a llamar. Whatever happens, I’ll call you. |
| Sin importar lo que cueste / pase | “No matter what it costs / what happens.” States exactly what will not change the decision. | Lo haré sin importar lo que cueste. I’ll do it, no matter what it costs. |
| Como dé lugar (without “a”) | You may encounter it without the initial a, but a como dé lugar is the established form to learn and use. | Lo resolveremos a como dé lugar. We’ll solve it one way or another. |
| A güevo (Mexico; vulgar/colloquial) | In this context, “whether you like it or not” or “by force.” On its own, it can also be an enthusiastic “Hell yes!” | ¿Tengo que ir a güevo? Do I have to go whether I like it or not? |
| Ni modo que no (Mexico) | Roughly, “Of course we have to” or “It’s not like we can just refuse.” Often a reply, not a direct substitute for “whatever it takes.” | —¿Vamos a ayudar? —Pues sí, ni modo que no. “Are we helping?” “Well, yes—we can’t exactly not help.” |
| Sí o sí | “No matter what.” Firm and direct: it has to happen. | Hay que entregar esto hoy sí o sí. We have to turn this in today, no matter what. |
| No hay de otra | “There’s no other way.” Common in Mexico; emphasizes that the options have run out. | Se canceló el tren. No hay de otra: tomamos un taxi. The train was canceled. We have no choice but to take a taxi. |
| No queda de otra | “There’s nothing else to do.” Very close to no hay de otra; often sounds a little resigned. | No queda de otra que esperar. There’s nothing to do but wait. |
| Nos guste o no | “Whether we like it or not.” The situation will not change just because we dislike it. | Nos guste o no, tenemos que pagar. Whether we like it or not, we have to pay. |
| Quieras o no | “Whether you like it or not.” Directed at one person; it can sound blunt or bossy. | Quieras o no, mañana hay examen. Whether you like it or not, there’s a test tomorrow. |
Which one should you use?
Think about what will not stop you.
- If the method does not matter, use a como dé lugar: Llegaré a como dé lugar.
- If the cost or effort does not matter, use cueste lo que cueste: Lo intentaré, cueste lo que cueste.
- If future events will not change your promise, use pase lo que pase: Estaré aquí, pase lo que pase.
- If there is no alternative, use no hay de otra or no queda de otra: Hay que esperar; no queda de otra.
- If you are giving someone an ultimatum, use por las buenas o por las malas: Lo vas a hacer por las buenas o por las malas.
That last distinction matters. Voy a hacerlo cueste lo que cueste says, “I’m willing to make sacrifices.” Lo vas a hacer por las buenas o por las malas says, “You may not get a choice.” One shows determination; the other can sound threatening.
The subjunctive
Several of these expressions use the subjunctive: dé in a como dé lugar, cueste in cueste lo que cueste, pase in pase lo que pase, and sea in sea como sea.
Think of them as ready-made phrases for an outcome that is still open: whatever happens, whatever it costs, or however things turn out. Notice, too, that dé has an accent because it is a form of the verb dar; de without an accent is the preposition “of” or “from.”
