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 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
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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
Related words
doushitemo
by all means; at any cost; no matter what; in the end; long-term; eagerly; anyway; Certainly
ijyou
more than; overtaking; bigger than; that is all; above; above and beyond; in addition; the aforementioned; since; while; the end
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
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (でも) demo
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (でも) demo:
Example Sentences - (でも) demo
See below some example sentences:
Watashi no yome wa totemo utsukushii desu
My wife is very beautiful.
My bride is very beautiful.
- 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
- の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "my"
- 嫁 (yome) - "the wife"
- は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "my wife"
- とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
- 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "beautiful"
- です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of speaking, in this case "is"
Watashi no heya wa totemo kirei desu
My room is very clean.
My room is very beautiful.
- 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
- の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
- 部屋 (heya) - noun that means "room"
- は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "room"
- とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
- きれい (kirei) - adjective meaning "beautiful, clean"
- です (desu) - verb that indicates to be or to exist, in this case, "is"
Watashi no jōshimai wa totemo utsukushii desu
My cousin is very beautiful.
- 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
- の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
- 従姉妹 (joushimai) - noun meaning "second cousin"
- は (wa) - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my second cousin"
- とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
- 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "beautiful"
- です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence
Watashi no shimai wa totemo naka ga yoi desu
My sisters are very close.
- 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
- の (no) - possession particle in Japanese, indicating that the next word is possessed by "me"
- 姉妹 (shimai) - means "sisters" in Japanese
- は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "sisters"
- とても (totemo) - adverb in Japanese, meaning "a lot"
- 仲 (naka) - means "relationship" in Japanese
- が (ga) - subject particle in Japanese, indicating that "relationship" is the subject of the sentence
- 良い (yoi) - Japanese adjective meaning "good"
- です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is in the present tense and is affirmative
Watashi no kazoku wa totemo taisetsu desu
My family is very important to me.
My family is very important.
- 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
- の (no) - possession particle in Japanese, indicating that "my" family home
- 家族 (kazoku) - means "family" in Japanese
- は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicating that "the family" is the subject of the sentence
- とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
- 大切 (taisetsu) - adjective meaning "important" or "precious" in Japanese
- です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese, indicating "is" important to my family
Watashi no heya wa totemo shizuka desu
My room is very quiet.
My room is very quiet.
- 私 (watashi) - means "I" in Japanese.
- の (no) - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of" in Portuguese.
- 部屋 (heya) - "Quarto" significa "部屋" (heya) em japonês.
- は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "it is about" in Portuguese.
- とても (totemo) - adverb that means "very" in Japanese.
- 静か (shizuka) - The adjective that means "silent" in Japanese is 静かな (shizukana).
- です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the existence or quality of the subject, equivalent to "is" or "are" in English.
Watashi no ane wa totemo yasashii desu
My older sister is very kind.
My sister is very kind.
- 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
- の (no) - particle indicating possession, in this case "my"
- 姉 (ane) - means "older sister" in Japanese
- は (wa) - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case "my sister"
- とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
- 優しい (yasashii) - adjective meaning "gentle" or "kind"
- です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the state or quality of the subject, in this case "is"
Watashi no imouto wa totemo kawaii desu
My younger sister is very cute.
My sister is very cute.
- 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
- の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
- 妹 (imouto) - It means "younger sister" in Japanese.
- は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
- 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective that means "cute" or "pretty"
- です (desu) - The verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the formality of the sentence.
Watashi no otouto wa totemo kawaii desu
My younger brother is very cute.
My brother is very cute.
- 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
- の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
- 弟 (otouto) - It means "younger brother" in Japanese.
- は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "my younger brother"
- とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
- 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective meaning "cute" or "pretty"
- です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or formality
Watashi no korekushon wa totemo taisetsu desu
My collection is very important.
- 私 - Personal pronoun "I" in Japanese
- の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
- コレクション - "coleção" - collection
- は - particle that indicates the theme of the sentence, equivalent to "is" or "are" in English
- とても - adverb meaning "very"
- 大切 - Adjective that means "important" or "precious".
- です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate formality and respect in communication
Other Words of this Type: adversative conjunction
See other words from our dictionary that are also: adversative conjunction
