でも (Demo) Particle

The でも (demo) particle has multiple uses in Japanese, making it a crucial part of natural conversation.

It can mean “even,” “or something,” “any,” or even function similarly to “but” in some contexts. Since it has various meanings, understanding how to use でも correctly will significantly improve your Japanese fluency.

Emphasizing an Extreme Case

One of the most common uses of でも is to emphasize that even an unlikely or extreme case applies to a statement. This is similar to how “even” is used in English.

Structure:

[Extreme Example] + でも + [Statement]

Examples:

子供でも分かる。
(Kodomo demo wakaru.)
"Even a child can understand."

このレストランは有名だから、平日でも混んでいる。
(Kono resutoran wa yuumei dakara, heijitsu demo kondeiru.)
"This restaurant is famous, so it's crowded even on weekdays."

雨でもサッカーをします。
(Ame demo sakkaa o shimasu.)
"We play soccer even if it rains."

でも emphasizes that something applies even to an unlikely or extreme case. This use is similar to “even” in English.

Or Something (Casual Suggestion)

Another common use of でも is to make a casual suggestion. In this case, it means “or something”, making the suggestion feel relaxed and non-specific.

Structure:

[Noun] + でも + [Verb]

Examples:

お茶でも飲みませんか？
(Ocha demo nomimasen ka?)
"How about some tea or something?"

映画でも見ようよ！
(Eiga demo miyou yo!)
"Let’s watch a movie or something!"

週末にカフェでも行かない？
(Shuumatsu ni kafe demo ikanai?)
"Do you want to go to a café or something this weekend?"

Note:

  • でも makes the suggestion sound casual and flexible, as if the exact option isn’t that important.
  • It’s often used when offering or inviting someone to do something.

Using でも here makes the suggestion sound more flexible and casual, as if the exact option isn’t too important.

Any (Indicating No Restriction)

When でも follows question words like 何 (nani – “what”), 誰 (dare – “who”), or どこ (doko – “where”), it means “any”, indicating no restrictions.

Structure:

[Question Word] + でも → "Any [thing/place/person/time]"

Examples:

何でも食べられます。
(Nandemo taberaremasu.)
"I can eat anything."

どこでもいいよ。
(Dokodemo ii yo.)
"Anywhere is fine."

誰でも参加できます。
(Daredemo sanka dekimasu.)
"Anyone can participate."

いつでも来てください。
(Itsudemo kite kudasai.)
"Come anytime."

This usage of でも removes restrictions and suggests that anything is acceptable.

But (Contradiction or Disagreement)

でも can also be used at the beginning of a sentence to contrast with the previous statement, similar to “but” in English.

Structure:

でも, [Contrasting Statement]

Examples:

日本語は難しいです。でも、楽しいです。
(Nihongo wa muzukashii desu. Demo, tanoshii desu.)
"Japanese is difficult. But it's fun."

行きたいです。でも、お金がありません。
(Ikitai desu. Demo, okane ga arimasen.)
"I want to go. But I don’t have money."

この店は高い。でも、美味しい。
(Kono mise wa takai. Demo, oishii.)
"This shop is expensive. But it's delicious."

Note:

でも in this case contrasts two ideas.

It cannot be used within a sentence like “but” in English. (For that, use けど (kedo) or が (ga) instead.)

でも with Particles (Combining Meanings)

でも can be combined with other particles to modify its meaning slightly:

Particle CombinationMeaningExampleTranslation
でもいい“It’s okay to (do)”ここで食べてもいい？“Is it okay if I eat here?”
でもしかたがない“It can’t be helped”失敗してもしかたがない。“Even if I fail, it can’t be helped.”
でもなく“Neither… nor…”お茶でもなくコーヒーでもなく“Neither tea nor coffee”

でも vs. けど vs. しかし (Comparison)

When using でも as “but,” it’s important to understand how it compares with other words like けど (kedo) and しかし (shikashi).

WordMeaningUsage
でも“But” (mild contrast)Used at the start of a sentence.
けど“But” (casual contrast)Used in the middle of a sentence.
しかし“However” (formal contrast)Used in formal writing.

Comparisons:

高い。でも、美味しい。
"It's expensive. But it's delicious." (Simple contrast)

高いけど、美味しい。 
"It's expensive, but it's delicious." (Smooth connection)

高い。しかし、美味しい。 
"It’s expensive. However, it’s delicious." (Formal)