「〜でも」- Even If Structure

Explanation

「〜でも」 is an important grammatical structure in Japanese, primarily used to express "even if" or "even though." It can be used with nouns, adjectives, and verbs to convey that even if a certain condition exists, the result remains unchanged.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun + でも	+ Noun	Even if a certain noun condition exists, the result remains unchanged.
Na-Adjective Stem + でも	+ Na-Adjective	Even if a certain na-adjective condition exists, the result remains unchanged.
I-Adjective Stem + くても	+ I-Adjective	Even if a certain i-adjective condition exists, the result remains unchanged.
Verb Te-Form + も	+ Verb	Even if a certain verb condition exists, the result remains unchanged.

Basic Usage

This usage emphasizes the extremity of a situation, whether positive or negative.

Examples

• Noun + でも
  • 先生せんせいでも分わからない問題もんだいだ。
  • Sensei demo wakaranai mondai da.
  • It's a problem that even a teacher doesn't understand.
    
• Na-Adjective Stem + でも
  • 便利べんりでも使つかわない人ひとがいる。
  • Benri demo tsukawanai hito ga iru.
  • There are people who don't use it even if it's convenient.
    
• I-Adjective Stem + くても
  • 高たかくても買かいたい。
  • Takakutemo kaitai.
  • I want to buy it even if it's expensive.
    
• Verb Te-Form + も
  • 雨あめが降ふっても行いきます。
  • Ame ga futtemo ikimasu.
  • I will go even if it rains.
    

Deep Dive

「〜でも」 is widely used in various contexts, often to express resignation or strong determination. Its flexibility allows learners to use it in many situations to emphasize that the result remains unchanged regardless of the condition.

Real-Life Scenarios

• Noun + でも
  • 会議かいぎは誰だれでも参加さんかできる。
  • Kaigi wa dare demo sanka dekiru.
  • Anyone can participate in the meeting.
    
• Na-Adjective Stem + でも
  • 静しずかでも眠ねむれない。
  • Shizuka demo nemurenai.
  • I can't sleep even if it's quiet.
    
• I-Adjective Stem + くても
  • 忙いそがしくても家族かぞくとの時間じかんは大切たいせつだ。
  • Isogashikutemo kazoku to no jikan wa taisetsu da.
  • Even if I'm busy, time with family is important.
    
• Verb Te-Form + も
  • 試験しけんに落おちても諦あきらめない。
  • Shiken ni ochitemo akiramenai.
  • I won't give up even if I fail the exam.
    

Summary

「〜でも」 is a crucial grammatical structure in Japanese, used to express that even if a certain condition exists, the result remains unchanged. By comparing it with other grammar points, learners can better understand its unique expressive effect.