Yes, でも is neutral — it can be used in both polite and casual contexts. It's perfectly acceptable in everyday polite speech.

JLPT N5 Grammar: でも (demo) — “But” & “Even”

JLPT N5 Grammar: でも (demo)

Q: What's the difference between でも and ですが?

でも starts a new sentence ('But, …'). ですが attaches directly to the first sentence ('AですがB').

Two essential uses — “but” (contrast) & “even / or something” (particle)

JLPTジェイエルピーティー N5エヌゴ文法ぶんぽうでも解説かいせつ (逆接ぎゃくせつ・例示れいじ)

⏱️ Study time: 5–7 minutes

でも (demo) has two main functions at N5 level: it's a standalone conjunction meaning “but” that starts a new sentence, and it's a particle meaning “even” or “or something” when attached to a noun. Mastering both will make your Japanese sound much more natural.

🚀 JLPT N5 Warm-up Quiz

Q: Which sentence means “It's expensive. But I'll buy it.”?

All three are correct! A uses でも as a standalone “but” (most emphatic). B uses ですが (polite conjunction). C uses けど (casual). All are grammatically fine; でも starts a new sentence while が/けど attach to the first clause.

Quick Summary

Grammar Point
でも

Meaning 1
But (standalone conjunction)

Meaning 2
Even / or something (particle)

Example
高たかいです。でも、買かいます。たかいです。でも、かいます。Takai desu. Demo, kaimasu.
It's expensive. But I'll buy it.

📝 Core Patterns with でも

As “but” (conjunction): Sentence 1。でも、Sentence 2。

As “even” (particle): Noun + でも + Predicate

As “or something” (suggestion): Noun + でも + どうですか / いかがですか

⚠️ When used as “but”, でも starts a new sentence. It does not attach to the previous clause like が or けど.

🧠 Need the attached “but”? See ですが (desu ga) →

💡 Toggle furigana, hiragana, or romaji for easier reading.

What is でも?

でも has two distinct uses at the N5 level. As a conjunction, it means “but” and starts a new sentence to contrast with the previous one. As a particle, it attaches to a noun to mean “even” or “or something” — often used in casual suggestions.

Conjunction “but”: Sentence A。でも、Sentence B。 (A. But B.)
Particle “even”: Noun + でも (even ~). 子どもでもわかります = Even a child understands.
Suggestion “or something”: お茶ちゃでもどうですか = How about some tea or something?

雨あめが降ふっています。でも、出でかけます。あめがふっています。でも、でかけます。Ame ga futte imasu. Demo, dekakemasu.
It's raining. But I'm going out.

⚡ でも as “But” (Conjunction)

Use でも at the beginning of a new sentence to contrast it with the previous statement. It works with both polite and casual forms, but it creates a clear separation between the two ideas.

Pattern	Example	Meaning
Sentence 1。でも、Sentence 2。	日本語にほんごは難むずかしいです。でも、面白おもしろいです。	Japanese is difficult. But it's interesting.
Question + でも + Answer	高たかいですか。でも、買かいますか。	Is it expensive? But will you buy it?

💡 Key difference: でも is a sentence‑starter (“But, …”). が and けど attach to the first sentence (“A but B”). Both are correct, but the rhythm is different.

⚡ でも as “Even” / “Or Something” (Particle)

When attached to a noun, でも means “even” (surprisingly, that too) or softens a suggestion to mean “or something” (making it more casual and less direct).

Use	Pattern	Example
“Even”	Noun + でも + Predicate	子供こどもでもできます。 Even a child can do it.
“Or something”	Noun + でも + どうですか	コーヒーでもどうですか。 How about some coffee or something?

Examples & Mini Dialogue

この店みせは高たかいです。でも、とても美味おいしいです。このみせはたかいです。でも、とてもおいしいです。Kono mise wa takai desu. Demo, totemo oishii desu.
This restaurant is expensive. But it's very delicious.

✅ でも starts a new contrasting sentence.

週末しゅうまつ、映画えいがでも見みませんか。しゅうまつ、えいがでもみませんか。Shūmatsu, eiga demo mimasen ka.
Would you like to watch a movie or something this weekend? (suggestion)

🗣️ Mini Dialogue
A: 明日あしたは忙いそがしいですか。あしたはいそがしいですか。Ashita wa isogashii desu ka.
B: はい、忙いそがしいです。でも、夜よるは暇ひまです。はい、いそがしいです。でも、よるはひまです。Hai, isogashii desu. Demo, yoru wa hima desu.

⚡ でも vs ですが / しかし

Word	Position	Politeness	Example
でも	Starts a new sentence	Neutral (polite & casual)	難むずかしいです。でも、楽たのしいです。
ですが	Attaches to です/ます	Polite	難むずかしいですが、楽たのしいです。
しかし	Starts a new sentence	Formal / written	難むずかしいです。しかし、楽たのしいです。

💡 N5 focus: でも is the most common standalone “but” in everyday speech. ですが is slightly more formal and attaches to the previous clause. しかし is reserved for formal writing and speeches.

Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

✕ 難むずかしいでも、面白おもしろいです。 (Attaching でも directly to an i‑adjective.)

✓ 難むずかしいです。でも、面白おもしろいです。 (でも starts a new sentence; use が to attach.)

✕ 子供こどもはでもできます。 (Putting は before でも.)

✓ 子供こどもでもできます。 (でも directly follows the noun — no extra particle.)

✕ コーヒーをでもどうですか。 (Adding を before the suggestion でも.)

✓ コーヒーでもどうですか。 (でも replaces を/が/は — no double particle.)

JLPT N5 Practice Questions

Score: 0 / 3

1. “It's cold. But I'm going out.” Choose the correct contrast.

2. “Even a child can do it.” — which is correct?

3. でも as a conjunction is used at the ________ of a sentence.

🎯 JLPT N5 tip: でも is tested in the listening and reading sections. If you hear でも at the start of a sentence, a contrast is coming. If it's attached to a noun, it means “even” or is part of a casual suggestion.

Test yourself with a free mock exam →

About the Instructor

Taught by Anup Sensei at Gogaku Language & Training Center in Pokhara. With real Japan experience and a focus on exam essentials, he helps students pass the JLPT with confidence.

⚡ Vocabulary Used in This Lesson

Japanese	Reading	Type	English Meaning
高たかい	たかい	i‑adjective	expensive
買かう	かう	Godan verb	to buy
難むずかしい	むずかしい	i‑adjective	difficult
面白おもしろい	おもしろい	i‑adjective	interesting
雨あめ	あめ	Noun	rain
降ふる	ふる	Godan verb	to fall (rain)
出でかける	でかける	Ichidan verb	to go out
子供こども	こども	Noun	child

Related Grammar

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between でも and ですが?

でも starts a new sentence (“But, …”). ですが attaches directly to the first sentence (“AですがB”). でも feels slightly more emphatic; ですが is a smoother connection.

Can でも attach to verbs?

As a conjunction, no — it starts a new sentence. As a particle meaning “even”, it attaches to nouns, not verbs. For “even if I do”, use 〜ても (N4 grammar).

Is でも polite?

Yes, でも is neutral — it can be used in both polite and casual contexts. It's not as formal as しかし, but perfectly acceptable in everyday polite speech.

Continue Learning

Next: しかし (shikashi) — the formal “however”.

Learn しかし →

→ Explore the JLPT N5 Grammar Hub

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