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

However, it is a particle that generally functions as an adversative connector, similar to "but" or "however". 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:

潜水はとても楽しいです。

Sensui wa totemo tanoshii desu

Diving is very pleasant.

Diving is a lot of fun.

• 潜水 (せんすい) - dive
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 楽しい (たのしい) - Fun, pleasant
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

根気があれば何でもできる。

Konki ga areba nandemo dekiru

with perseverance

You can do anything if you're patient.

• 根気 (konki) - perseverance, patience
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あれば (areba) - if any
• 何でも (nan demo) - anything, everything
• できる (dekiru) - be able to do, achieve

果物はとても美味しいです。

Kudamono wa totemo oishii desu

The fruits are very delicious.

The fruits are very delicious.

• 果物 (kudamono) - fruits
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 美味しい (oishii) - tasty, delicious
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

書き取りは日本語の勉強にとても役立ちます。

Kakitori wa nihongo no benkyou ni totemo yakudachimasu

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

Writing is very useful for studying Japanese.

• 書き取り - WRITING
• は - Topic particle
• 日本語 - Japanese language
• の - Possession particle
• 勉強 - study
• に - target particle
• とても - very
• 役立ちます - To be useful

擽ぐったい感覚はとても不快です。

Kusuguttai kankaku wa totemo fukai desu

The feeling of tickling is very unpleasant.

The feeling of being beaten is very unpleasant.

• 擽ぐったい - tickling sensation
• 感覚 - sensation
• とても - very
• 不快 - unpleasant
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

悔やんでも仕方がない。

Kuyandemo shikata ga nai

There's no point in regretting.

I can't help but regret it.

• 悔やんでも - "even if you regret"
• 仕方がない - "there's nothing to be done"

彼女の気質はとても優れている。

Kanojo no kishitsu wa totemo sugurete iru

Your temperament is excellent.

Your temperament is very good.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 気質 (kishitsu) - temperament, personality
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 優れている (sugureteiru) - to be excellent, to be superior

彼はとても器用だ。

Kare wa totemo kiyou da

He is very skilled.

He is very skillful.

• 彼 (kare) - He
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - Very
• 器用 (kiyou) - Skilled, dexterous
• だ (da) - Verb "to be" in the present

小柄な女性はとても可愛らしいです。

Kobugara na josei wa totemo kawairashii desu

Small women are very cute.

Small women are very cute.

• 小柄な - means "small" or "short"
• 女性 - means "woman"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the short woman"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛らしい - adjective meaning "cute" or "adorable"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

夫人はとても美しいです。

Fujin wa totemo utsukushii desu

The wife is very beautiful.

Mrs. It's very beautiful.

• 夫人 - means "wife" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence.
• とても - adverb in Japanese that means "very".
• 美しい - adjective in Japanese that means "pretty" or "beautiful".
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the existence or characteristic of something.