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:

奥さんはとても優しいです。

Okusan wa totemo yasashii desu

The wife is very kind.

My wife is very kind.

• 奥さん (okusan) - wife
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 優しい (yasashii) - Kind, friendly
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

女の人はとても美しいです。

Onna no hito wa totemo utsukushii desu

The women are very beautiful.

The woman is very beautiful.

• 女の人 - means "woman" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "woman".
• とても - it's an adverb that means "very".
• 美しい - it's an adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful".
• です - it is a grammatical particle that indicates the formality of the sentence and can be translated as "is".

団体の活動はとても盛んです。

Dantai no katsudou wa totemo sakon desu

Group activities are very exciting.

The group's activities are very active.

• 団体 - group, team
• の - Possession particle
• 活動 - activity
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 盛ん - prosperous, active
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

国産の車はとても信頼性が高いです。

Kokusansha no kuruma wa totemo shinraisei ga takai desu

Domestic cars are very reliable.

Household cars are very reliable.

• 国産 - means "produced in Japan"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 車 - means "car"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 信頼性 - means "reliability"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 高い - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• です - verb that indicates the polite way of saying or asking

地理はとても興味深い学問です。

Chiri wa totemo kyoumi fukai gakumon desu

Geography is a very interesting subject.

Geography is a very interesting study.

• 地理 - geography
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 興味深い - interesting
• 学問 - academic discipline
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

和英辞書はとても便利です。

Wa Ei jisho wa totemo benri desu

A Japanese-English dictionary is very useful.

The Japanese-English dictionary is very convenient.

• 和英辞書 - Japanese-English Dictionary
• は - Topic particle
• とても - Very
• 便利 - convenient, useful
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

去年の夏はとても暑かったです。

Kyonen no natsu wa totemo atsukatta desu

Last summer was very hot.

It was very hot last summer.

• 去年 - Last year
• の - Possession particle
• 夏 - summer
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 暑かった - hot
• です - polite way of being

動的なアプリケーションを開発するのはとても楽しいです。

Douteki na apurikeeshon wo kaihatsu suru no wa totemo tanoshii desu

Developing dynamic applications is very pleasant.

Developing a dynamic app is a lot of fun.

• 動的な - dynamic
• アプリケーション - application
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 開発する - develop
• のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• とても - very
• 楽しい - fun
• です - verb to be in the polite form

保温は冬にとても重要です。

Hoon wa fuyu ni totemo juuyou desu

Temperature maintenance is very important in winter.

Heat retention is very important in winter.

• 保温 - word meaning "thermal insulation"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 冬 - word meaning "winter"
• に - particle indicating the time at which something occurs
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 重要 - word meaning "important"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

伯母さんはとても優しい人です。

Obasan wa totemo yasashii hito desu

My aunt is a very kind person.

Tia is a very kind person.

• 伯母さん - aunt (in Japanese)
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 優しい - Kind, friendly
• 人 - person
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)