sea como sea

Question

Would you think of that as "Whatever, or Whatever it may be", or more like... "Whatever it takes"?

Answer 1

I found these three in a phrase book:
no matter how...., at any cost, one way or another.

OK, this is the meaning which fits the context in which I saw it. - Jeremias, Jan 12, 2012

Answer 2

I think context is needed. Here sea lo que sea can have two meanings.

¡Pero si es economista! Sea lo que sea, yo no me fío de sus opiniones.

But he's an economist. (Be that as it may or he may well be), but still I don't trust his opinions.

As for sea como sea, here are a couple of more interpretations.

Hay que impedirlo, sea como sea - It must be prevented (now matter how or at all costs).

Jaja, that's what I was thinking, "context needed" and after all I put I forgot to ask for it. Lol - DJ_Huero, Jan 12, 2012

Answer 3

Well to me it's like, "it is what it is" and it seems almost the same thing as one I've used a few times, "pase lo que pase" meaning "what happens, happens". It's kind of like saying you don't care what happens, you're prepared for anything and can handle it.

buena respuesta, dj, nice to see you around, como siempre:) - 00494d19, Jan 12, 2012

muchas gracias y igualmente amiguita mia =} - DJ_Huero, Jan 12, 2012

Answer 4

My phrasebook lists this as "Either way..."

Answer 5

I agree with himself:

"be as it may"

Suena mejor con el "that". - samdie, Jan 12, 2012

Answer 6

Perhaps it's like, "be that as it may"

To me too, in most normal sentences, that's the obvious Englsih expression. - annierats, Jan 12, 2012

Answer 7

I believe that "sea como sea" means "in any case". But "sea lo que sea" means "whatever it may be."

But I would double check with a native. :) - Nicole-B, Jan 11, 2012

correct answer, it depends on context:) - 00494d19, Jan 12, 2012