Translation and Meaning of: でも - demo

The Japanese word でも (demo) is one of those versatile particles that appear frequently in everyday life in Japan. If you are learning Japanese, you may have already encountered it in dialogues, animes, or even in songs. But what exactly does it mean? In this article, we will explore the meaning, the most common uses, and even some curiosities about this small word that carries significant weight in Japanese communication. If you are looking to understand how and when to use it, you have come to the right place.

The basic meaning and use of でも

"でも" is a particle that generally functions as an adversative connector, similar to "but" or "however" in English. It is often used at the beginning of sentences to introduce an objection, contrast, or reservation. For example, if someone says "It's raining," you can respond with "でも、傘を持っていない" (Demo, kasa o motte inai) — "But I don’t have an umbrella."

Moreover, でも can also be used to soften statements or express hesitation. In informal situations, Japanese people often use it to add a more casual tone to the conversation. For example, when suggesting a place to eat, someone might say "でも、ラーメンはどう？" (Demo, ramen wa dou?) — "But how about ramen?". In this case, the word does not necessarily indicate opposition, but rather a more natural transition in the dialogue.

Origin and structure of でも

The word でも is a combination of the particle で (de) and the adverb も (mo). While で indicates a means or context, も adds the sense of "also" or "even." Together, they form an expression that conveys the idea of "still" or "anyway." This construction is common in other Japanese particles, which often arise from the combination of simpler elements.

It is worth noting that でも does not have a complex ancient or historical origin — it is simply a natural evolution of the modern Japanese language. Unlike words derived from classical Chinese, でも is purely Japanese and reflects the way the language adapts to create smoother connections in everyday speech.

Curiosities and tips for memorizing でも

An easy way to remember the use of でも is to associate it with situations where you need to disagree or add a caveat. Think about how we use "but" in Portuguese — almost every time でも appears, there is a shift in the direction of the conversation. Watching dialogues in animes or Japanese dramas can help internalize its use, as the word appears frequently in natural contexts.

Another interesting fact is that でも can be used alone as an interjection, especially in quick responses. If someone asks "Do you like sushi?" and you reply "でも…" with a pause, it indicates hesitation or a contrary opinion. This type of usage is very common in Japan and shows how the language values indirect and polite communication.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• しかし (Shikashi) - however
• だが (Daga) - But, however
• ただ (Tada) - However, only, just
• しかしながら (Shikashi nagara) - however
• ところが (Tokoroga) - However, on the other hand (more colloquial usage)
• それにもかかわらず (Sore ni mo kakawarazu) - Apesar disso
• けれども (Keredomo) - However, nonetheless
• とはいえ (To wa ie) - However, even so
• それでも (Soredemo) - Even so
• それなのに (Sore nanoni) - Even so
• それに対して (Sore ni taishite) - In contrast to this
• それに比べて (Sore ni kurabete) - Compared to this
• それに反して (Sore ni hanshite) - In opposition to this
• それに対し (Sore ni taishi) - In response to that
• それに関して (Sore ni kanshite) - In relation to this
• それに関する (Sore ni kansuru) - Regarding this
• それについて (Sore ni tsuite) - About this
• それについては (Sore ni tsuite wa) - As for that
• それについても (Sore ni tsuite mo) - As for that too
• それについて言えば (Sore ni tsuite ieba) - If we talk about it
• それにつき (Sore ni tsuki) - About this
• それに応じて (Sore ni oujite) - According to this
• それに従って (Sore ni shitagatte) - Following this
• それに基づいて (Sore ni motozuite) - Based on this
• それに沿って (Sore ni sotte) - According to this
• それに合わせて (Sore ni awasete) - Adjusted to this

でも

Romaji: demo
Kana: でも
Type: adversative conjunction
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: but; however

Meaning in English: but;however

Definition: Used to introduce a counterpoint or caveat

Example Sentences - (でも) demo

See below some example sentences:

講堂での講演はとても興味深いです。

Koudou de no kouen wa totemo kyoumi fukai desu

The lectures in the auditorium are very interesting.

The lecture in the auditorium is very interesting.

• 講堂 - conference room
• での - in
• 講演 - lecture
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 興味深い - interesting
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

絹はとても柔らかい素材です。

Kinu wa totemo yawarakai sozai desu

Silk is a very soft material.

Silk is a very soft material.

• 絹 (kinu) - silk
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 柔らかい (yawarakai) - Soft, smooth
• 素材 (sozai) - material, substance
• です (desu) - ser, estar (linking verb)

無邪気な笑顔がとても可愛いです。

Mujaki na egao ga totemo kawaii desu

The innocent facial expression is very cute.

The innocent smile is very cute.

• 無邪気な - Innocent, without malice
• 笑顔 - smile
• が - subject particle
• とても - very
• 可愛い - fofo, bonito
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

炊事は家事の中でも重要な役割を担っています。

Suiji wa kaji no naka demo juuyou na yakuwari wo ninatte imasu

Cooking is an important role among household chores.

Cooking plays an important role in housework.

• 炊事 - Food preparation, kitchen
• 家事 - Housework
• 中でも - Among them, especially
• 重要な - Important
• 役割を担っています - Plays a role

布で作られた服はとても快適です。

Fuku de tsukurareta fuku wa totemo kaiteki desu

Clothes made of fabric are very comfortable.

Clothing made of cloth is very comfortable.

• 布で作られた - made of fabric
• 服 - clothes
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 快適 - comfortable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

女史はとても優雅な雰囲気を持っています。

Joshi wa totemo yūga na fun'iki o motte imasu

The lady has a very elegant atmosphere.

Mrs. has a very elegant atmosphere.

• 女史 - indicates a respectable woman, usually used in formal contexts.
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "女史".
• とても - Adverb meaning "a lot".
• 優雅な - adjective that means "elegant" or "refined".
• 雰囲気 - noun that means "atmosphere" or "environment".
• を - object particle, indicates that "雰囲気" is the direct object of the sentence.
• 持っています - verb that means "to have" or "to possess", in the affirmative present tense.

その邸宅はとても豪華でした。

sono teitaku wa totemo gouka deshita

That mansion was very luxurious.

The mansion was very luxurious.

• その - demonstrative pronoun "that"
• 邸宅 - noun "mansion"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 豪華 - adjective "luxurious"
• でした - verb "to be" in the polite past

この部屋はとても冷える。

Kono heya wa totemo hieru

This room is very cold.

This room is too cold.

• この - this
• 部屋 - fourth
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 冷える - to be cold

とても嬉しいです。

Totemo ureshii desu

I am really happy.

I am really happy.

• <とても>- means "a lot" in Japanese.
• <嬉しい>- means "happy" in Japanese.
• <です>- is a closing particle in Japanese that indicates an affirmative statement.

鉄片はとても鋭いです。

Teppeki wa totemo surudoi desu

Iron fragments are very sharp.

The iron part is very sharp.

• 鉄片 (tetsuhen) - piece of iron
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 鋭い (surudoi) - sharp
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present