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:

私の兄はとても優しいです。

Watashi no ani wa totemo yasashii desu

My older brother is very kind.

My brother is very kind.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun meaning "I" or "mine"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 兄 (ani) - noun that means "older brother"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of discourse

私の学校はとてもきれいです。

Watashi no gakkou wa totemo kirei desu

My school is very beautiful.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun meaning "I" or "mine"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 学校 (gakkou) - noun meaning "school"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the school"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• きれい (kirei) - adjective that means "pretty" or "clean"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal way of speaking, in this case "is"

私の伯母はとても優しい人です。

Watashi no oba wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My aunt is a very kind person.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 伯母 (obasan) - noun that means "aunt" (sister of the father or mother)
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
• 人 (hito) - noun that means "person"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of discourse

私の母親はとても優しいです。

Watashi no hahaoya wa totemo yasashii desu

My mother is very kind.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 母親 (hahaoya) - noun meaning "mother"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優しい (yasashii) - adjetivo que significa "gentil"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私の部下はとても優秀です。

Watashi no buka wa totemo yuushuu desu

My subordinates are very good.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
• 部下 (buka) - "Subordinate" is a noun that means "subordinate".
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 優秀 (yuushuu) - adjective that means "excellent"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality

私の職場はとても忙しいです。

Watashi no shokuba wa totemo isogashii desu

My workplace is very busy.

My workplace is very busy.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 職場 (shokuba) - noun meaning "workplace"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 忙しい (isogashii) - adjective meaning "busy" or "agitated"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私の息子はとてもかわいいです。

Watashi no musuko wa totemo kawaii desu

My son is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "mine"
• 息子 (musuko) - noun that means "son"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "my son"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• かわいい (kawaii) - adjective meaning "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence

私の伯父はとても親切です。

Watashi no oji wa totemo shinsetsu desu

Meu tio é muito gentil.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "de" in Portuguese
• 伯父 (oji) - substantivo que significa "tio paterno"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "é" in Portuguese
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 親切 (shinsetsu) - adjetivo que significa "amável", "gentil"
• です (desu) - verbo de ligação que indica a existência ou a qualidade do sujeito, equivalente ao "ser" ou "estar" em português

私の姪はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no mei wa totemo kawaii desu

My niece is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - partícula que indica posse, neste caso, "minha"
• 姪 (mei) - noun that means "niece"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "niece"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective that means "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私の親父はとても頑固です。

Watashi no oyaji wa totemo ganko desu

My father is very stubborn.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "my"
• 親父 (oyaji) - noun that means "father"
• は (wa) - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "father"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 頑固 (ganko) - adjective meaning "stubborn"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb indicating present tense and formality, in this case "is"