GRAMMAR
〜でも
even if it means
Explanation
NOTE
〜てでも means even at the cost of or even if it means — used to stress an extreme measure taken to achieve a goal.
命を懸けてでも、家族を守る。
I'll protect my family, even at the cost of my life.
The te-form before *でも* marks the **extreme method** the speaker is willing to take.
NOTE
The main clause expresses a strong will or determination to do something, no matter the difficulty.
NOTE
Attach でも directly after the verb in te-form (借りる → 借りてでも).
STRUCTURE
Vて
でもお金を借りてでも、その車を買いたい。
Okane o karite demo, sono kuruma o kaitai.
I want to buy that car, even if it means borrowing money.
徹夜してでも、この仕事を終わらせる。
Tetsuya shite demo, kono shigoto o owaraseru.
I'll finish this work, even if it means staying up all night.
無理をしてでも、娘を大学に行かせたい。
Muri o shite demo, musume o daigaku ni ikasetai.
I want to send my daughter to university, even if it means pushing myself.
NOTE
〜てでも often appears with 〜たい or strong volitional expressions to highlight a determined commitment.
STRUCTURE
Vて
でも + Volitional嘘をついてでも、彼を助けたい。
Uso o tsuite demo, kare o tasuketai.
I want to help him, even if it means telling a lie.
会社を辞めてでも、夢を追いかけたい。
Kaisha o yamete demo, yume o oikaketai.
I want to chase my dream, even if it means quitting the company.
歩いてでも、家に帰ろう。
Aruite demo, ie ni kaerou.
Let's go home, even if it means walking.
Practice exercises
1
彼は誰か以上に、身を削ってでも達成したい夢がある。
More than anyone else, he has a dream he wants to achieve, even if it means pushing himself to the limit.
Answer
削ってでも
2
彼は勝ちたい気持ちがあまりに強く、反則を犯してでも優勝したかった。
His desire to win was so strong that he wanted to win the championship even if it meant committing a foul.
Answer
犯してでも
3
彼は犠牲を払ってでも真実を明らかにしようとした。
He tried to reveal the truth even if it meant making a sacrifice.
Answer
払ってでも
4
結果からすると、彼は会社を辞めてでも目標を達成したかったのだ。
Judging from the results, he wanted to achieve his goal even if it meant quitting his job.
Answer
辞めてでも
5
生きてでも伝えるべきことが彼にはあった。
There was something he had to convey even if it meant living (through suffering).
Answer
生きてでも