てでも
🃏 Flashcard
てでも
te demo
Tap to reveal usage
even if I have to; by all means~
N2
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading
te demo
Post ID
51147
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
even if I have to; by all means~
📖 How to use it
This pattern expresses doing something by all means, even if it requires extreme or undesirable methods.
Attaches to
Attach to the て-form of a verb (or で for な-adjectives/nouns), followed by も. For verbs, use the て-form (e.g., 行ってでも). For な-adjectives/nouns, use でも (e.g., 不便でも).
てでも is used when you say you will achieve a goal even if it involves hardship, breaking rules, or doing something you normally wouldn't. It stresses determination. The pattern is often used with expressions like 〜てもいい, 〜たい, or 〜するつもり to show strong will. For example, 'I'll go even if I have to walk' means you'll go despite the effort. It sounds a bit emphatic, so it's common in speeches, strong opinions, or when making a firm promise.
間に合わなければ、走ってでも行く。
Ma ni awanakereba, hashitte demo iku.
If I can't make it in time, I'll go even if I have to run.
この本を読みたいなら、徹夜してでも読むよ。
Kono hon o yomitai nara, tetsuya shite demo yomu yo.
If I want to read this book, I'll read it even if I have to stay up all night.
彼に謝りたいなら、電話してでも謝るべきだ。
Kare ni ayamaritai nara, denwa shite demo ayamaru beki da.
If you want to apologize to him, you should apologize even if you have to call him.
Not 〜ても (even if) e.g., 行っても (even if I go)
〜ても simply means 'even if' without emphasizing effort. てでも adds the nuance of 'even if it requires extreme measures' and is used with an action you're determined to do.
Register
Neutral to somewhat formal; used in both speaking and writing, but often in strong statements or when making a resolute decision.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
てでも
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat てでも three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using てでも. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N2 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern てでも mean?
▼
Even if I have to; by all means~
What JLPT level is てでも?
▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use てでも in a sentence?
▼
Attach てでも (te demo) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is てでも formal or casual Japanese?
▼
てでも is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember てでも long-term?
▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.