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:

デモンストレーションを行う必要がある。

Demonstreshon wo okonau hitsuyou ga aru

A demo is required.

You need to do a demo.

• デモンストレーション - demonstration
• を - direct object particle
• 行う - realizar
• 必要 - need
• が - subject particle
• ある - exist

とんでもないことをしてしまった。

Tondemonai koto wo shite shimatta

Eu fiz algo terrível.

Eu fiz algo ridículo.

• とんでもない - significa "inacreditável" ou "absurdo".
• こと - significa "coisa" ou "fato".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• してしまった - é uma conjugação do verbo "suru" (fazer) com o auxiliar "shimau" (completar, terminar), que juntos indicam que a ação foi realizada completamente e que pode ter tido consequências negativas.

ボートで湖を漕ぐのはとても楽しいです。

Bōto de mizuumi wo kogu no wa totemo tanoshii desu

Rowing a boat in a lake is a lot of fun.

It's a lot of fun to row a lake with a boat.

• ボート (bōto) - barco
• で (de) - in, with
• 湖 (mizuumi) - lago
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 漕ぐ (kogu) - remar
• の (no) - Possession particle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

一昨日はとても暑かったです。

Ototoi wa totemo atsukatta desu

The previous day was very hot.

• 一昨日 (ototoi) - the day before yesterday
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 暑かった (atsukatta) - It was hot
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

中央にある公園はとても美しいです。

Chūō ni aru kōen wa totemo utsukushii desu

O parque no centro é muito bonito.

• 中央にある - localizado no centro
• 公園 - park
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

中腹にある寺はとても美しいです。

Chūfuku ni aru tera wa totemo utsukushii desu

The temple in the hill is very beautiful.

• 中腹にある - located on the slope
• 寺 - templo
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

今年の年鑑はとても素晴らしいです。

Kotoshi no nenkan wa totemo subarashii desu

This year's annual look is very wonderful.

• 今年の - This year
• 年鑑 - anuário
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 素晴らしい - maravilhoso
• です - verb to be in the polite form

今日の試合はとても激しかった。

Kyou no shiai wa totemo hageshikatta

Today's match was very intense.

• 今日の - "de hoje"
• 試合 - "jogo"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 激しかった - "intenso"

今更何を言っても遅い。

Imasara nani wo ittemo osoi

No matter what you say, it's too late.

• 今更 - now it's too late
• 何 - what
• を - object particle
• 言って - say, speak
• も - also
• 遅い - late, late

佐藤さんはとても親切です。

Satou

Sato is very kind.

• 佐藤さん - first name in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• とても - adverb in Japanese that means "very"
• 親切 - adjective in Japanese that means "kind"
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese, in the present and formal tense.