To express that an outcome happens regardless of circumstances, Icelandic uses the invariable phrase hvort eð er (anyway / in any case).
| anyway | hvort eð er |
Hvort eð er never changes form and almost always sits at the very end of a sentence or clause. It is frequently used to rationalize an unfortunate situation, such as brushing off the loss of something that was already completely ruined.
| The shirt was completely ruined anyway. | Skyrtan var handónýt hvort eð er. |
| I was going to throw this jacket away anyway. | Ég ætlaði að henda þessum jakka hvort eð er. |
Excusing Minor Accidents
Hvort eð er is perfect for justifying mistakes or things that just do not work out. If your clumsiness breaks a device, you might point out that it was already broken.
| The phone was broken anyway, so this clumsiness doesn't matter. | Síminn var bilaður hvort eð er, þannig að þessi klaufaskapur skiptir ekki máli. |
Likewise, if a particular situation simply doesn't suit you, you can state that it wouldn't have worked out regardless.
| Working late doesn't suit me anyway. | Að vinna seint hentar mér ekki hvort eð er. |
Contrasting Outcomes
You will frequently see hvort eð er used alongside conjunctions like en (but) to show that despite a specific event, the final outcome remains unchanged.
| Didn't he ruin his worn-out jacket? Yes (he did), but it was old-fashioned anyway. | Eyðilagði hann ekki slitna jakkann sinn? Jú, en hann var gamaldags hvort eð er. |
| Yesterday it rained, but I didn't go out anyway. | Í gær rigndi, en ég fór ekki út hvort eð er. |