
GRAMMAR
でも
but
Explanation
NOTE
でも means but or however and is used at the beginning of a sentence to contrast it with the previous one. It is one of the most common ways to express contrast in everyday Japanese.
NOTE
でも connects two separate sentences — it starts a new sentence that contrasts with what came before. It is casual and natural in both speech and writing.
STRUCTURE
... 。でも ...
日本語は難しい。でも楽しいです。
Nihongo wa muzukashii. Demo tanoshii desu.
Japanese is difficult. But it is fun.
雨です。でも出かけます。
Ame desu. Demo dekakemasu.
It is raining. But I will go out.
高いです。でもおいしいです。
Takai desu. Demo oishii desu.
It is expensive. But it is delicious.
Example sentences
この本は高いです。でも、面白いです。
This book is expensive, but it's interesting.
私は肉を食べます。でも、魚は食べません。
I eat meat, but I don't eat fish.
日本の冬は寒いです。でも、雪はあまり降りません。
Winter in Japan is cold, but it doesn't snow much.
Practice exercises
1
暑いです。でも走ります。
It's hot. But I'll run.
Answer
でも
2
難しいです。でも楽しいです。
It's difficult. But it's fun.
Answer
でも
3
高い。でも買いたい。
It's expensive. But I want to buy it.
Answer
でも
4
寒いです。でも出かけます。
It is cold. But I will go out.
Answer
でも
5
小さい。でも便利です。
It is small. But it is convenient.
Answer
でも
6
高いです。でもおいしいです。
It is expensive. But it is delicious.
Answer
でも
7
雨です。でも出かけます。
It is raining. But I will go out.
Answer
でも
8
日本語は難しい。でも楽しいです。
Japanese is difficult. But it is fun.
Answer
でも