〜でも (example / question word + でも)
demo (rei / gimonshi + demo)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N5, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
(1) N + でも: "or something", a casual suggestion; (2) question word + でも: "any-" (誰でも, 何でも, いつでも, どこでも); (3) "even" (子供でも分かる).
でも after a noun has three everyday jobs. (1) Suggestion: お茶でも = "tea or something"; you name one example without insisting on it, which makes an invitation sound relaxed. (2) After a question word (誰, 何, いつ, どこ) it means "any-": 誰でも = anyone, いつでも = any time. (3) "Even": 子供でも分かる = even a child understands, used to give an extreme example. In all three, でも points at one example and lets the listener imagine the rest.
Casual invitations (コーヒーでも飲まない？), friendly offers, general statements about what is possible for anyone at any time (いつでも来てください), and emphasising that something is easy or surprising (初心者でもできる). Works in polite and casual speech alike.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
N + でも (suggestion): お茶でも飲みませんかQuestion word + でも (any-): 誰でも / 何でも / いつでも / どこでも / どれでも / どちらでもN + でも (even): 子供でも分かる, 先生でも間違えるでも replaces を / が; other particles stay before it (どこへでも, 誰とでも)
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Use | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| N + でも (suggestion) | or something | お茶でも飲みませんか | Would you like tea or something? |
| question word + でも | any- | 誰でも / いつでも / どこでも | anyone / any time / anywhere |
| N + でも (extreme case) | even | 子供でも分かる | even a child understands |
| question word + も + ない | no- (contrast) | 誰も知らない | nobody knows |
Natural examples
お茶でも飲みませんか。
おちゃでも のみませんか。
Would you like some tea or something?
Suggestion: tea is one example; the invitation is soft and leaves room for another choice.
この問題は誰でも解ける。
この もんだいは だれでも とける。
Anyone can solve this problem.
誰でも = anyone: the question word + でも is always followed by an affirmative.
子供でも知っていることです。
こどもでも しっていることです。
It's something even a child knows.
Extreme example: if even a child knows it, everyone does.
質問があれば、いつでも聞いてください。
しつもんが あれば、いつでも きいてください。
If you have questions, ask me any time.
いつでも = any time. Note the affirmative request after it.
暇なら、映画でも見に行かない？
ひまなら、えいがでも みに いかない？
If you're free, want to go and see a movie or something?
Casual invitation: 映画 is only a suggestion, so でも softens it.
Similar grammar and the difference
とか lists two or more examples (映画とか買い物とか). でも gives one example lightly and only in a suggestion or an extreme case. Compare side by side
Verb/adjective + ても is the "even if" form (雨が降っても). Noun + でも in the "even" sense is the noun version of the same idea. Compare side by side
Also gives an example, but with a dismissive or emotional feeling (勉強なんかしたくない). でも is neutral. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 誰でも来ませんでした。
- ✓
- 誰も来ませんでした。
- Why
- Question word + でも is followed by an affirmative (anyone can…). For "nobody", use 誰も + negative.
- ✗
- お茶をでも飲みませんか。
- ✓
- お茶でも飲みませんか。
- Why
- でも replaces を and が; do not keep both.
- ✗
- どこも行けます。
- ✓
- どこでも行けます。/ どこへでも行けます。
- Why
- "Anywhere" in an affirmative sentence needs でも, not も.
The suggestion use is one of the most natural ways to invite someone in Japanese: お茶でも / ご飯でも / 映画でも + ませんか / ない？. Question word + でも can take a preceding particle: どこへでも (to anywhere), 誰とでも (with anyone), 何からでも. In the "even" sense でも often pairs with an easy or surprising result: 大人でも難しい (hard even for adults).
JLPT N4 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence ends in 〜ませんか / 〜ない？ and the blank follows a noun like お茶, コーヒー, ご飯, the answer is でも, not を or は.
- Question word + blank + affirmative verb → でも; question word + blank + negative verb → も. Check the ending of the verb before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜でも (example / question word + でも) mean?
(1) N + でも: "or something", a casual suggestion; (2) question word + でも: "any-" (誰でも, 何でも, いつでも, どこでも); (3) "even" (子供でも分かる). でも after a noun has three everyday jobs. (1) Suggestion: お茶でも = "tea or something"; you name one example without insisting on it, which makes an invitation sound relaxed. (2) After a question word (誰, 何, いつ, どこ) it means "any-": 誰でも = anyone, いつでも = any time. (3) "Even": 子供でも分かる = even a child understands, used to give an extreme example. In all three, でも points at one example and lets the listener imagine the rest.
How do you form 〜でも (example / question word + でも)?
N + でも (suggestion): お茶でも飲みませんか / Question word + でも (any-): 誰でも / 何でも / いつでも / どこでも / どれでも / どちらでも / N + でも (even): 子供でも分かる, 先生でも間違える / でも replaces を / が; other particles stay before it (どこへでも, 誰とでも). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜でも (example / question word + でも) used?
Casual invitations (コーヒーでも飲まない？), friendly offers, general statements about what is possible for anyone at any time (いつでも来てください), and emphasising that something is easy or surprising (初心者でもできる). Works in polite and casual speech alike.
What is the difference between 〜でも (example / question word + でも) and 〜とか?
とか lists two or more examples (映画とか買い物とか). でも gives one example lightly and only in a suggestion or an extreme case.
What is the difference between 〜でも (example / question word + でも) and 〜ても?
Verb/adjective + ても is the "even if" form (雨が降っても). Noun + でも in the "even" sense is the noun version of the same idea.
What is a common mistake with 〜でも (example / question word + でも)?
Wrong: 誰でも来ませんでした。 Right: 誰も来ませんでした。 Question word + でも is followed by an affirmative (anyone can…). For "nobody", use 誰も + negative.
Quick check
この店の料理は（ ）おいしいです。