Tell me more ×
Japanese Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for students, teachers, and linguists wanting to discuss the finer points of the Japanese language. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 9 down vote favorite
1

First of all, is there such a pattern as て-form + でも? I can't find it in my grammar dictionary. If there is, is it related to the て-form + も pattern, meaning something like "even if"? What is the difference?

share|improve this question
1  
I think the difference is: ~てでも is more like "even by ~~ing", while ~ても is more like "even if". You can say 卑劣な手段を使っ"てでも"優勝するぞ・卑劣な手段を使っ"ても"優勝するぞ but you don't say 嵐が来"てでも"仕事に出かけるぞ or 死ん"ででも"君と離れないよ. – Chocolate Jul 22 '12 at 3:36

1 Answer

up vote 5 down vote accepted

Positive, to all of your questions.

10万円出してでも買いたい本
'a book one wants to buy even by paying 100,000 yen.'

share|improve this answer
If anyone feels discomfort or offence, please complain, and I will change the example. – sawa Jul 22 '12 at 1:57
1  
Hmm maybe カンニングしてでも合格したい大学... 法を犯してでも成し遂げたい復讐... 体を売ってでも現金を手に入れようと... 人を殺してでも...sorry maybe these are even worse...^^; How about 体を張ってでも守りたいひと？ – Chocolate Jul 22 '12 at 2:05
I changed it to a peaceful one. – sawa Jul 22 '12 at 2:19
2  
I am trying to grasp the meaning as the english is not clear. Is this close? - A book I want to buy even if I have to spend 100,000 yen - (i changed the subject to "I" to make it easier). I don't know if my "if" insertion is adding meaning that is not there. – yadokari Jul 23 '12 at 2:13
3  
to me, the translation sounds kind of like "i would go so far as to pay X yen for..." – ogicu8abruok Jul 23 '12 at 10:39
show 3 more comments

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.