でも
Meanings
Sentence-opening connector used to introduce contrast, objection, or a related additional point. It is common in speech and everyday writing, and is generally less formal than しかし.
I wanted to go. But I didn't have time.
However, there is one more problem.
Particle after a noun or noun-like phrase, highlighting something as an extreme, surprising, or minimum example: 'even X'.
Even a child can solve this problem.
even if; even though; no matter how
Concessive particle use, especially after nouns and na-adjective stems, meaning that the following statement holds despite that condition. In patterns such as どんなに下手でも, it means 'no matter how ...'.
Even though it is inconvenient, I like this town.
No matter how bad you are, you will improve if you keep going.
or something; or the like
Softens a suggestion or example after a noun, often implying that the named item is only one possible choice.
Let's go see a movie or something this weekend.
Would you like some tea or something?
either ... or ...; neither ... nor ...
Used in the repeated pattern XでもYでも. In affirmative contexts it means 'either X or Y'; with negative expressions such as ない, it can mean 'neither X nor Y'.
You can go by either train or bus.
This is neither a dream nor a joke.
Rare derogatory prefix-like use before an occupation or role, implying that the person is only nominally in that role or is incompetent. This is limited and not a general-purpose prefix.
でも医者 is a disparaging expression meaning someone is a doctor in name only.
for lack of anything better to do
Rare derogatory prefix-like use before an occupation, associated with でもしか, implying that someone chose that job only because there was nothing better available.
See also: でもしか
The でも in でもしか先生 is connected with the sarcastic idea of becoming a teacher for lack of anything better to do.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉でもできるeven 〈person〉 can do it
It's an easy problem that even a child can do.
- どんなに〈形容詞〉でもno matter how 〈adjective〉
No matter how bad you are, you'll get better if you practice.
- 〈物〉でも飲みませんかhow about having 〈thing〉 or something
Would you like some tea or something?
- 〈物〉でも〈物〉でもeither 〈thing〉 or 〈thing〉
Either tea or coffee is fine.
- でも、〜but; however (starting a sentence)
I was tired. But I kept going until the end.