〜てでも (~te demo) — even if it means ~ing / by any means
'I'll do it, even if it takes that extreme step' — the 「〜ても」of determination.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
- Telling a friend your plan to bring your younger brother to Japan: 「借金してでも、弟を日本に呼びたい」(I want to bring my brother to Japan even if I have to borrow money).
- Borrowing is not a normal means — you can hear 'I'm ready to go that far'.
Meaning
「〜てでも」= the thing in front is an extreme step most people would not take, and the sentence says 'I'll do it, even if it takes that'.
How to attach
- Vて + でも: 借金してでも・歩いてでも・徹夜してでも
- Only a verb naming an extreme means goes in front.
- The end is always the speaker's wish or resolve: 〜たい・〜つもりだ・〜なければならない・〜よう
Versus what you know
- N3「たとえ雨が降っても行く」is plain 'whatever happens'.
- 「〜ても」only says 'even if X, Y'; 「〜てでも」shows willpower — 'for Y, I'd even take the extreme step X'.
- Don't mix it up with 「〜てまで」in this lesson: 借金してまで買った = 'he went as far as borrowing to buy it?!' (criticising someone); 借金してでも買いたい = your own determination.
Watch out
A finished fact (借金してでも買った) is not allowed.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
借金してでも、弟を日本に呼びたい。
しゃっきんしてでも、おとうとをにほんによびたい。
Even if I have to borrow money, I want to bring my brother to Japan.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 借金する = to borrow money (not a normal way) → て-form: 借金して → we attach 「でも」 → then the wish: 呼びたい → "even if I have to go that far".
徹夜してでも、明日までにレポートを出すつもりだ。
てつやしてでも、あしたまでにレポートをだすつもりだ。
Even if I have to stay up all night, I intend to hand in the report by tomorrow.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 徹夜する = to stay up all night → て-form: 徹夜して → 「でも」 → then the resolve: 出すつもりだ → "I'll hand it in no matter what".
電車が止まったら、タクシーを使ってでも面接に間に合わせなければならない。
でんしゃがとまったら、タクシーをつかってでもめんせつにまにあわせなければならない。
If the train stops, I must make it to the interview on time, even if it means taking a taxi.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) タクシーを使う = to take a taxi (expensive, not what you'd normally do) → て-form: 使って → 「でも」 → then "must do": 間に合わせなければならない.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「どんなことを＿でも、ビザを取りたい。」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint: Which verb form goes before でも?
Vて + でも: どんなことをしてでも = whatever it takes.
In which sentence is 「〜てでも」unnatural?
💡 Hint: Is the ending a wish/resolve, or a finished fact?
〜てでも must be followed by the speaker's wish or resolve (〜たい・〜つもりだ・〜なければならない), not a finished fact like 買った.
Which is closest in meaning to 「走ってでも間に合わせる。」?
💡 Hint: Determination — 'whatever it takes'.
〜てでも = I'll do it even if it takes that extreme step; 走ってでも = I'll make it even if I have to run.
Your score: /3