でも（逆接）

But, However

Level 1Sounds Like demo

でも is a common way to say 'but' when starting a new sentence in spoken Japanese. It is used to introduce a contrast or an unexpected result based on the previous sentence.

How It Works

でも is a sentence-starting conjunction (接続詞（せつぞくし）). It is extremely common in daily conversation, but it is considered colloquial.

Key Characteristics:

  • Position: It must come at the start of a sentence, following a full stop.
  • Register: It is primarily a spoken word. While used in casual and standard polite conversation, it is generally avoided in formal business meetings, speeches, or academic writing. In those contexts, しかし is preferred.
  • Etymology: It is derived from the particle で (the て-form of the copula) plus the particle も, or can be seen as a shortening of それでも.
  • Punctuation: In writing, it is often followed by a comma (でも、).

Usage Note:
Compared to でも, using けれども at the start of a sentence sounds softer. Also, do not confuse this conjunction with the particle でも (meaning 'even' or 'or something'), which attaches directly to nouns.

Examples (3)

  1. 日本料理は好きです。でも、納豆は食べられません。

    I like Japanese food. But, I can't eat natto.

    Word by Word: Japanese food (topic) like is. But, natto (topic) cannot eat.

    This shows a simple contrast between a general preference and a specific exception.

  2. 昨日は雨でした。でも、買い物に行きました。

    It was raining yesterday. But, I went shopping.

    Word by Word: Yesterday (topic) rain was. But, shopping to went.

    Here, 'demo' introduces an unexpected outcome (going out despite the rain).

  3. テストは難しかったです。でも、大丈夫でした。

    The test was difficult. But, it was okay.

    Word by Word: Test (topic) difficult was. But, okay was.

    This contrasts a negative situation (difficult test) with a positive result (being okay).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'demo' to connect two clauses within a single sentence.

    私は行きたいですでもお金がないです。
    私は行きたいです。でも、お金がないです。

    In Japanese, でも cannot be used like the English 'but' to join two sentences with a comma. You must either start a new sentence with でも or use a conjunctive particle like が or けど.

  • Using 'demo' in formal academic or business writing.

    （レポートで）でも、このデータは間違いです。
    （レポートで）しかし、このデータは誤りです。

    While でも is fine for polite conversation, it sounds too casual in formal reports or professional documents. Use しかし instead.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

でも（逆接）Level 1But, However

Learn This First

To use 'demo' (but), you need to be able to form a complete sentence first, as 'demo' typically appears at the beginning of a second sentence to contrast it with a previous statement. Familiarity with basic sentence structure and the general concept of contrast is essential.

Words in This Pattern