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:

何でもできる。

Nandemo dekiru

I can do anything.

You can do anything.

• 何でも - Anything
• できる - can be done

何時までもあなたを愛しています。

Nanji made mo anata wo aishiteimasu

I will love you forever.

I love you forever.

• 何時までも - always
• あなたを - you
• 愛しています - love

出産は女性にとってとても重要な出来事です。

Shussan wa josei ni totte totemo juuyou na dekigoto desu

Childbirth is a very important event for women.

Birth is a very important event for women.

• 出産 - nascimento
• 女性 - woman
• にとって - for
• とても - very
• 重要 - important
• な - Particle indicating adjective
• 出来事 - event, happening
• です - verb to be"

別に何でもない。

Betsu ni nandemo nai

It's nothing in particular.

Nothing separately.

• 別に - "it's nothing in particular"
• 何でも - "anything"
• ない - "does not exist"

双子はとても可愛いです。

Futago wa totemo kawaii desu

The twins are very cute.

• 双子 (futago) - "twins" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective meaning "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

回り道をしても目的地に着く。

Mawari michi wo shitemo mokutekichi ni tsuku

Even with a detour

Even if you take a detour, you will reach your destination.

• 回り道をしても - even if it takes a detour
• 目的地に - for the destination
• 着く - arrive

国語は日本語の中でも特に重要な言語です。

Kokugo wa Nihongo no naka demo toku ni juuyou na gengo desu

Language is a particularly important language in Japanese.

• 国語 - national language
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possession particle
• 中でも - among them
• 特に - especialmente
• 重要な - important
• 言語 - língua
• です - verb to be in the polite form

大臣は政治家の中でも重要な役割を果たしています。

Daijin wa seijika no naka demo juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Ministers play an important role among politicians.

The minister plays an important role among politicians.

• 大臣 - Ministro
• は - Topic particle
• 政治家 - Político
• の - Possessive particle
• 中でも - Especially among
• 重要な - Important
• 役割 - Papel/função
• を - Direct object particle
• 果たしています - performs (present progressive)

少しでも多くの人々が幸せになることを願っています。

Sukoshi demo ooku no hitobito ga shiawase ni naru koto wo negatteimasu

Espero que mesmo que um pouco

Espero que o maior número possível de pessoas seja feliz.

• 少し (sukoshi) - a little
• でも (demo) - mas, no entanto
• 多く (ooku) - many
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 人々 (hitobito) - people
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 幸せ (shiawase) - happiness
• に (ni) - target particle
• なる (naru) - become
• こと (koto) - Thing, fact
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 願っています (negatteimasu) - desejo, esperança

引き分けは勝ちでも負けでもない。

Hikiwake wa kachi demo make demo nai

A draw is neither a victory nor a defeat.

Tie is not winning or losing.

• 引き分け - empate
• 勝ち - victory
• 負け - defeat
• でも - also
• ない - negation