Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 17/22

～てでもEven if I have to, By any or all means, No matter what

Often used in manga

Structure

Verb［て］+ でも

Details

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About てでも

てでも is a combination of the conjunction-particle て, and the prefix adverbial particle でも. Regular interpretations include 'no matter what', or 'even if I have to (A)'. When connected to verbs, てでも just emphasizes that 'even if (A) needs to be done, it will be', and expresses the speaker's strong determination to do something, regardless of what the consequences are, or how difficult it might be.

Due to てでも expressing strong will, it will often be seen in sentences that include other phrases that mark desire or intent, such as ほしい, たい, and ようと思(おも)う.

Fun-fact

Although てでも is considered a fairly slang expression due to the use of てでも rather than the usual ても that would be expected of a verb, the construction itself of て-form partnered with an adverbial particle is quite common, and often marks emphasis or comparison. This can be seen very regularly with ては in patterns like てはいけない or てはだめ.

Examples

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    どんな事(こと)をしてでも、海賊(かいぞく)王(おう)になりたいぞ！

    No matter what it takes, I want to become a pirate king!

    くたくたに疲(つか)れてるけど、失神(しっしん)してでも、最後(さいご)までこの試合(しあい)をやりぬく。[する]

    I am exhausted, but even if I faint, by any means, I will play this match till the end.

      グループを解散(かいさん)してでも守(まも)りたい秘密(ひみつ)がある。

      There are secrets I want to protect even if the group must break up.

      争(あらそ)ってでもいいから、あの契約(けいやく)を取(と)ってこい！

      It's fine even if you have to fight for it, so go and get that contract!

      それはまた改(あらた)めてでもいいので、必(かなら)ず持(も)ってきてください。

      Since it is fine even if you need to revise it again, please make sure to bring it.

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