but; however (でも) – Japanese Grammar でも (demo)

Q: What JLPT level is でも?

JLPT N5 — Beginner · Basic sentence structures

Q: How do you use でも in a sentence?

Attach でも to the appropriate verb or noun form. But; however

Q: Is でも formal or casual Japanese?

でも can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

でも

N5 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

demo

but; however

は wa - topic marker ましょう mashou でしょう deshou より〜ほうが yori ~hou ga 一緒に issho ni があります ga arimasu を o / wo どうして doushite 前に mae ni は〜より・・・です wa ~yori... desu じゃない・ではない janai / dewa nai のです no desu だろう darou にする ni suru の no ないでください naide kudasai な-adjectives na-adjectives も mo のが下手 no ga heta どんな donna は wa - topic marker ましょう mashou でしょう deshou より〜ほうが yori ~hou ga 一緒に issho ni があります ga arimasu を o / wo どうして doushite 前に mae ni は〜より・・・です wa ~yori... desu じゃない・ではない janai / dewa nai のです no desu だろう darou にする ni suru の no ないでください naide kudasai な-adjectives na-adjectives も mo のが下手 no ga heta どんな donna

🃏 Flashcard

でも

demo

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but; however

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N5

Beginner · Basic sentence structures

Reading demo

Post ID 50607

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

but; however

📖 How to use it

A conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however', used to contrast two statements.

Attaches to Standalone; starts a new sentence. It is not attached to a verb or adjective. It connects two separate sentences or clauses.

Demo is a conjunction that you put at the beginning of a new sentence to show contrast with the previous sentence. It is very common in everyday conversation and writing. For example, you might say something positive and then add a negative with demo, or state an opinion and then a reservation. It is similar to English 'but' or 'however', but note that it always starts a new sentence, not joining two clauses with a comma. If you want to join two clauses within one sentence, you would use 'ga' instead. Also, be aware that 'demo' has another meaning: when used after a noun or in certain patterns, it can mean 'even' or 'or something', but here we are focusing on the 'but' meaning at the start of a sentence.

日本語は難しいです。でも、おもしろいです。

Nihongo wa muzukashii desu. Demo, omoshiroi desu.

Japanese is difficult. But it's interesting.

映画を見たいです。でも、お金がありません。

Eiga o mitai desu. Demo, okane ga arimasen.

I want to watch a movie. But I don't have money.

明日はテストです。でも、勉強したくないです。

Ashita wa tesuto desu. Demo, benkyou shitakunai desu.

Tomorrow is the test. But I don't want to study.

Not が (ga) Both mean 'but', but が is a particle that joins two clauses within the same sentence, while でも starts a new sentence. Use が when connecting two ideas in one sentence; use でも when starting a new sentence that contrasts with the previous one.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

でも

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat 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 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 N5 Patterns

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で

in; at; on; by; with; via

でしょう

I think; it seems; probably; right?

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern でも mean? ▼

But; however

What JLPT level is でも? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N5 — Beginner · Basic sentence structures. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use でも in a sentence? ▼

Attach でも (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 でも formal or casual Japanese? ▼

でも is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember 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.