でも
demo
But; however
A conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however', used to contrast two statements.
How to form it
Standalone; starts a new sentence. It is not attached to a verb or adjective. It connects two separate sentences or clauses.
What it means
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.
Example sentences
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.
Don’t confuse it with
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.
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Neutral; used in both spoken and written Japanese, but especially common in conversation.
Other meanings of でも
でも... or something · N4てもeven; even if; even though · N4Next in the N5 path
8Questions
What does でも mean?
But; however. A conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however', used to contrast two statements.
How do you form でも?
Standalone; starts a new sentence. It is not attached to a verb or adjective. It connects two separate sentences or clauses.
Example of でも in a sentence
日本語は難しいです。でも、おもしろいです。 — Japanese is difficult. But it's interesting.
が (ga) — what is the difference?
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.
What JLPT level is でも?
JLPT N5 (beginner), number 7 of 80 in Nihoner's learning order for N5.
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