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:

彼はとても優しい人です。

Kare wa totemo yasashii hito desu

He is a very kind person.

• 彼 (kare) - He
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - Very
• 優しい (yasashii) - Gentil
• 人 (hito) - Person
• です (desu) - Verb to be in the polite form

彼の態度はとても冷たいです。

Kare no taido wa totemo tsumetai desu

Your attitude is very cold.

• 彼の (kare no) - "dele"
• 態度 (taido) - "atitude"
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - "very"
• 冷たい (tsumetai) - "frio"
• です (desu) - polite way of "to be"

彼女はとても優しいです。

Kanojo wa totemo yasashii desu

She is very kind.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She (female)
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - Very
• 優しい (yasashii) - Gentil
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present

彼女の表情はとても穏やかだ。

Kanojo no hyōjō wa totemo odayaka da

Sua expressão é muito calma.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - ela/namorada
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 表情 (hyoujou) - Expressão facial
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 穏やか (odayaka) - calma/serena
• だ (da) - Verb to be/estar in the present

彼女の人柄はとても温かくて親切です。

Kanojo no hitogara wa totemo atatakakute shinsetsu desu

Your personality is very warm and kind.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 人柄 (hitogara) - Personalidade
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - Very
• 温かくて (atatakakute) - Hot and
• 親切 (shinsetsu) - Gentil
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

彼女はとても利口です。

Kanojo wa totemo rikou desu

She's very smart.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 利口 (rikou) - inteligente
• です (desu) - verb ser/estar (polite)

彼女はとても上手に人を扱う。

Kanojo wa totemo jouzu ni hito o atsukau

Ela é muito boa em lidar com as pessoas.

Ela trata as pessoas muito bem.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 上手 (jouzu) - skillful, good
• に (ni) - Target particle
• 人 (hito) - person
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 扱う (atsukau) - lidar com, tratar

彼女はとても美しいです。

Kanojo wa totemo utsukushii desu

Ela é muito bonita.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 美しい (utsukushii) - beautiful
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

彼女はとても情け深い人です。

Kanojo wa totemo nasakebukai hito desu

She is a very compassionate person.

She is a very sad person.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 情け深い (nasakebukai) - compassionate
• 人 (hito) - person
• です (desu) - Ser/estar (linking verb)

彼女の気立てはとても優しいです。

Kanojo no kidate wa totemo yasashii desu

Your apprentices are very kind.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
• の (no) - possessive particle, indicates that "kanojo" is the subject of the sentence
• 気立て (kidate) - means "personality" or "temperament"
• は (wa) - topic particle, indicates that "kidate" is the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form