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JLPT N2Emphasis

～てでも— Even If It Takes That

Shows strong determination to accomplish something, stating that one is willing to use even an extreme or difficult means to reach a goal. Unlike てまで, this expresses the speaker's own resolve rather than criticism. It emphasizes 'no matter what it takes'.

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Pro lessonUNIT 32 · EMPHASIS

Structure · 形

[Verb て-form] + でも

Examples · 例文

  • どんな手を使ってでも、優勝したい。

    Donna te wo tsukatte demo, yuushou shitai.

    I want to win the championship, even if I have to use any means possible.

    使って + でも presents an extreme means the speaker will accept to win.

  • 借金をしてでも、娘を留学させたい。

    Shakkin wo shite demo, musume wo ryuugaku sasetai.

    Even if it means borrowing money, I want to send my daughter to study abroad.

    して + でも shows willingness to take an extreme step for the goal.

  • 這ってでもゴールする覚悟だ。

    Hatte demo gooru suru kakugo da.

    I'm determined to reach the finish even if I have to crawl.

    這って + でも emphasizes fierce resolve to finish no matter what.

Usage notes · 注意

  • Tone: expresses the speaker's strong will and determination.
  • Usually followed by a volitional expression (たい, つもり, 覚悟).
  • Contrast with てまで, which criticizes rather than resolves.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ～てでも is tested against.

vsてまで

てまで tends to criticize someone's excessive action, while てでも expresses positive personal determination to achieve a goal.

vsても

Plain ても states a concession ('even if'), whereas てでも specifically highlights an extreme means one will use to succeed.

More emphasis

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