～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'.
Structure
[Verb て-form] + でも
Examples
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.
• 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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