でも (however) ／ でも (even, or something)
demo
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N4, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
(1) Sentence-initial でも = "but / however". (2) Noun + でも = "even ~" or "~ or something" (a casual suggestion).
でも has two jobs. (1) At the start of a sentence it means "but / however": 雨でした。でも、サッカーをしました "It rained. But we played football". (2) After a noun it means "even" (子供でも分かる "even a child understands") or "... or something" as a casual suggestion (お茶でも飲みませんか "How about some tea or something?"). Question word + でも = "any-": 何でも "anything".
Beginning a sentence with a contrast, softening invitations (コーヒーでも), and saying something applies even to an extreme case.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
。でも、… ／ Noun + でも
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sentence start | でも、行きました | But I went |
| Noun + でも (suggestion) | お茶でも飲みませんか | tea or something? |
| Noun + でも (even) | 子供でも分かります | even a child understands |
Natural examples
昨日は雨でした。でも、サッカーをしました。
きのうは あめでした。でも、サッカーを しました。
It rained yesterday. But we played football.
Sentence-initial でも = but.
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?
Noun + でも in an invitation = or something.
この問題は子供でも分かります。
この もんだいは こどもでも わかります。
Even a child can understand this question.
Noun + でも = even.
この仕事は誰でもできます。
この しごとは だれでも できます。
Anyone can do this job.
誰でも = anyone.
疲れました。でも、宿題をしなければなりません。
つかれました。でも、しゅくだいを しなければ なりません。
I'm tired. But I have to do my homework.
でも after a full stop.
Similar grammar and the difference
が joins two clauses in one sentence; でも starts a new one. Compare side by side
何も + negative = nothing; 何でも = anything. Compare side by side
Noun + でも is often used with ませんか invitations. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 高いでも、買います。
- ✓
- 高いですが、買います。／ 高い。でも、買います。
- Why
- でも cannot join clauses; it starts a new sentence.
- ✗
- 何も食べられます (meaning anything)
- ✓
- 何でも食べられます
- Why
- "Anything" with an affirmative is 何でも.
- ✗
- お茶を飲みませんか。→ お茶もでも
- ✓
- お茶でも飲みませんか
- Why
- でも replaces を in the casual suggestion.
でも as "but" starts a new sentence; が／けど join clauses inside one sentence. しかし is the formal written equivalent. Question word + でも = "any": 何でも (anything), 誰でも (anyone), いつでも (any time), どこでも (anywhere).
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- A blank at the start of a sentence after a full stop, with contrast → でも.
- Question word + blank + affirmative (できます, いいです) → でも (any-). With a negative → も (no-).
Frequently asked questions
What does でも (however) ／ でも (even, or something) mean?
(1) Sentence-initial でも = "but / however". (2) Noun + でも = "even ~" or "~ or something" (a casual suggestion). でも has two jobs. (1) At the start of a sentence it means "but / however": 雨でした。でも、サッカーをしました "It rained. But we played football". (2) After a noun it means "even" (子供でも分かる "even a child understands") or "... or something" as a casual suggestion (お茶でも飲みませんか "How about some tea or something?"). Question word + でも = "any-": 何でも "anything".
How do you form でも (however) ／ でも (even, or something)?
。でも、… ／ Noun + でも. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is でも (however) ／ でも (even, or something) used?
Beginning a sentence with a contrast, softening invitations (コーヒーでも), and saying something applies even to an extreme case.
What is the difference between でも (however) ／ でも (even, or something) and が (but)?
が joins two clauses in one sentence; でも starts a new one.
What is the difference between でも (however) ／ でも (even, or something) and も?
何も + negative = nothing; 何でも = anything.
What is a common mistake with でも (however) ／ でも (even, or something)?
Wrong: 高いでも、買います。 Right: 高いですが、買います。／ 高い。でも、買います。 でも cannot join clauses; it starts a new sentence.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? 昨日は 雨でした。（ ）、サッカーを しました。