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:

煎ったコーヒーがとても香ばしいです。

Senatta kōhī ga totemo kōbashiidesu

The roasted coffee has a very pleasant aroma.

Roasted coffee is very fragrant.

• 煎った - The verb "seneru", which means "to toast"
• コーヒー - Noun "koohii," which means "coffee."
• が - particle "ga", which indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - adverb "totemo", which means "very"
• 香ばしい - Adjective "kabashii", which means "fragrant, aromatic".
• です - verb "desu", which indicates the polite way of saying something

猫の尻尾はとてもかわいいです。

Neko no shippo wa totemo kawaii desu

The cat's tail is very cute.

• 猫 (neko) - gato
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 尻尾 (shippo) - cauda
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• かわいい (kawaii) - fofo, bonito
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

王様はとても威厳がある。

Ousama wa totemo igon ga aru

O rei tem muita dignidade.

O rei é muito digno.

• 王様 - Rei
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 威厳 - dignidade, autoridade
• が - subject particle
• ある - existir, ter

発見した宝物はとても貴重です。

Hakken shita takaramono wa totemo kichō desu

O tesouro descoberto é muito valioso.

• 発見した - verbo "descobrir"
• 宝物 - substantivo "tesouro"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 貴重 - adjetivo "valioso"
• です - verbo "ser" (forma educada)

発病したらすぐに医者に診てもらいましょう。

Hatsubyou shitara sugu ni isha ni mite moraimashou

if you get sick

Ask your doctor as soon as you get sick.

• 発病したら - "hatsubyou shitara" means "when you get sick"
• すぐに - "sugu ni" means "immediately"
• 医者に - "isha ni" means "to a doctor"
• 診てもらいましょう - "mite moraimashou" means "let's ask to be examined"

私の女房はとても美しいです。

Watashi no nyoubou wa totemo utsukushii desu

My wife is very beautiful.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• の - possessive particle "of"
• 女房 - noun "wife"
• は - topic particle "は"
• とても - adverb "very"
• 美しい - adjective "beautiful"
• です - verbo "ser" (forma educada)

私の秘書はとても優秀です。

Watashi no hisho wa totemo yuushu desu

Minha secretária é muito boa.

• 私 - "eu" em japonês
• の - Possession particle in Japanese
• 秘書 - "secretário" em japonês
• は - Japanese topic particle
• とても - "muito" em japonês
• 優秀 - "excelente" em japonês
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese

私の婿はとても優しいです。

Watashi no muko wa totemo yasashii desu

My son-in-law is very kind.

My son - - -LAW is very kind.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 婿 - noun meaning "son-in-law"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the son-in-law"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい - adjective meaning "gentle, kind"
• です - verb to be in the polite form

私の父母はとても優しいです。

Watashi no chichibo wa totemo yasashii desu

My parents are very kind.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - possession particle indicating that "father and mother" belong to "me"
• 父母 (fubo) - a word that means "father and mother" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that "father and mother" are the subject of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind" in Japanese
• です (desu) - being verb that indicates that "father and mother" are "very kind"

私の友人はとても親切です。

Watashi no yuujin wa totemo shinsetsu desu

Meu amigo é muito gentil.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - partícula de posse que indica que "amigo" pertence a "eu"
• 友人 (yuujin) - noun meaning "friend" in Japanese
• は (wa) - partícula de tópico que indica que "amigo" é o tema da frase
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 親切 (shinsetsu) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind" in Japanese
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative