GrammarJLPT N5
→ but
But / However / Even
JLPT N5ConjunctionNeutral
でも is one of the most versatile words in Japanese, functioning in three distinct ways. As a conjunction placed at the beginning of a sentence, でも means "but" or "however" and connects two contrasting ideas across sentences, much like しかし but in a more casual, conversational tone. As a particle attached after a noun, でも means "even" (similar to でさえ) or is used to make soft, non-exhaustive suggestions like "something like" or "or something." As a prefix before question words like どこ, だれ, or なに, it creates universal expressions meaning "anywhere," "anyone," or "anything." The conjunction use is the most common for beginners and is less formal than しかし or けれども, making it ideal for everyday spoken Japanese. Unlike けど, which joins two clauses within the same sentence, the conjunction でも typically starts a new sentence.
Functions
#1 Contrasting two statements (but / however)
Structure
Sentence 1。でも、Sentence 2。
日本語は むずかしい です。でも、たのしい です。
Here でも functions as a conjunction placed at the start of the second sentence to introduce a contrasting idea. The speaker acknowledges that Japanese is difficult, then uses でも to pivot and express that it is nonetheless enjoyable. This is the most basic and frequently encountered use of でも, and it sounds natural and conversational, appropriate for both casual speech and polite everyday conversation.Japanese is difficult. But, it's fun.
Structures
- Conjunction (but/however)
- Sentence 1。でも、Sentence 2。
- Particle (even / or something)
- Noun + でも
- Prefix (any-)
- でも + Question word (だれ・どこ・なに・いつ)
Common mistakes
A very common mistake is confusing the conjunction でも with けど. While both mean "but," でも as a conjunction starts a new sentence, whereas けど connects two clauses within the same sentence. Saying something like 「日本語はむずかしいですでもたのしいです」 as one sentence is incorrect; you need either a period before でも or should switch to けど. Another frequent error is failing to recognize the different functions of でも — learners sometimes interpret the particle or prefix uses as the conjunction "but," leading to confusion. Finally, beginners may not realize that なに changes to なん before でも, so the correct form is なんでも, not なにでも, in most spoken contexts.
Related
しかしけどけれどもだけどてもでさえ