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:

この商品はとても人気があります。

Kono shouhin wa totemo ninki ga arimasu

This product is very popular.

• この商品 - This Product
• は - Topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 人気 - "popularidade"
• が - subject particle
• あります - "existe"

この商品はとても安いです。

Kono shouhin wa totemo yasui desu

This product is very cheap.

• この商品 - This product
• は - Topic particle
• とても - Very
• 安い - Barato
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

この場所はとても長閑で静かです。

Kono basho wa totemo chōkan de shizuka desu

This place is very quiet and quiet.

This place is very silent and silent.

• この場所 - "this place"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 長閑 - "peaceful, serene"
• で - connecting particle
• 静か - "quiet, calm"
• です - polite way of "to be"

この場所はとても美しいです。

Kono basho wa totemo utsukushii desu

This place is very beautiful.

• この場所 - this place
• は - wa (topic particle)
• とても - totemo (muito)
• 美しい - utsukushii (bonito)
• です - is (verb to be in the present)

この曲はとても美しいです。

Kono kyoku wa totemo utsukushii desu

This song is very beautiful.

This song is very beautiful.

• この曲 - "kono kyoku" means "this music"
• は - "wa" is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• とても - "totemo" means "very"
• 美しい - "utsukushii" means "beautiful".
• です - "desu" is a polite form of saying "to be" or "to exist"

この棟はとても美しいです。

Kono mune wa totemo utsukushii desu

This construction is very beautiful.

This building is very beautiful.

• この棟 - "kono mune" - This building
• は - "wa" - Topic particle
• とても - totem - Very
• 美しい - "utsukushii" - Bonito
• です - desu - Ser/estar (polite form)

この道はどこまでも続く。

Kono michi wa doko made mo tsuzuku

This road remains endless.

This road lasts forever.

• この道 - "this path"
• は - Topic particle
• どこまでも - "anywhere"
• 続く - "continua"

さんはとても親切です。

San wa totemo shinsetsu desu

San é muito gentil.

É muito gentil.

• さん - honorífico japonês usado após o nome de uma pessoa
• は - partícula japonesa usada para indicar o tópico da frase
• とても - Japanese adverb that means "very"
• 親切 - adjetivo japonês que significa "amável", "gentil"
• です - verbo japonês que indica "ser" ou "estar" (forma educada)

シナリオを書くのはとても楽しいです。

Shinario wo kaku no wa totemo tanoshii desu

Writing a script is very fun.

Writing a scenario is a lot of fun.

• シナリオ (shinario) - It means "script" or "scenario" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 書く (kaku) - The verb that means "to write" in Japanese is 書く (kaku).
• のは (no wa) - Japanese topic particle
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - 楽しい
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese

その格好はとてもかわいいですね。

Sono kakkou wa totemo kawaii desu ne

This appearance is very cute.

Appearance is very cute.

• その - demonstrative pronoun meaning "that"
• 格好 - noun that means "appearance," "style," "form"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• かわいい - adjective that means "cute," "pretty"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• ね - final particle that indicates the search for confirmation or agreement