Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 10: 9/18

でも〜でも

Whether ~ or, Neither ~ or

Structure

[い]Adjective[て] + + [い]Adjective[て] +
[な]Adjective + でも + [な]Adjective + でも
Noun (A) + でも + Noun (B) + でも


[い]Adjective[て] + + [い]Adjective[て] + + Phrase[ない]
[な]Adjective + でも + [な]Adjective + でも + Phrase[ない]
Noun (A) + でも + Noun (B) + でも + Phrase[ない]

Details

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About 〜でも 〜でも

When the adverbial particle でも is used more than once in a sequence, it is an extension of one of its regular meanings, analogical reasoning. However, several 'analogies' are being presented.

This use of でも is regularly translated as 'whether it is (A), or (B)', or 'neither (A) nor (B)', depending on whether the rest of the phrase is positive, or negative.

Literally, the translation of 〜でも〜でも is closer to the following:

Even if it's (A), even if it's (B), (C) is the result. (In a positive sentence)

Even if it's (A), even if it's (B), (C) is not the result. (In a negative sentence)

Examples

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    これでもそれでも(なん)でもいいです

    Whether this, or that, whatever (is fine)!

    サッカーでも卓球(たっきゅう)でも(かれ)ならスポーツ(なん)でもでき

    Whether it's soccer or table tennis, he can play any sport.

    電車(でんしゃ)でも、バスでも()ける場所(ばしょ)ので便利(べんり)です

    You can get there whether by train or bus, so it's convenient.

    (かれ)MacでもWindowsでも使(つか) えるって

    (He said) that whether it's Mac or Windows, he can use them.

    じゃんけんでも、サイコロでも(なん)でもいいから(はや)()めて

    Whether it is with rock, paper, scissors or with dice, or whatever, hurry up and decide.

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      〜でも 〜でも – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

      • steffuld

        steffuld

        I think, another good translation is the subjunctive ‘be it… or…’

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