～でも～でも | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + でも + [noun] + でも [na-adj] + でも + [na-adj] + でも

Description

AでもBでも means "whether A or B": the same holds for both, so the choice doesn't matter. でも goes straight after each noun or な-adjective.

。

Coffee or tea, either is fine.

。

The game is on whether it rains or snows.

。

It's a film both adults and children can enjoy.

A verb or an い-adjective uses its own て-form with も instead: いって行ってもいかなくて行かなくても, たかくて高くてもやすくて安くても.

× 行くでも行かないでも → 行っても行かなくても

AでもBでも or AかBか

ああるAbB offers a choice that still has to be made. AでもBでも says either answer will do.

、。

Coffee or tea – which will you have?

、。

Coffee or tea, either is fine.

Usage notes

These go beyond two items and an affirmative.

With a negative

When the sentence ends in a negative, it is true of neither: "not by A or by B".

。

There was no reply by phone or by email.

Rounding off the list

A word like なん何でも, いつでも or どちらでも after the list says the items were only examples.

。

Meat, fish – I eat anything.

。

Weekday or weekend, any time is fine.

More than two

The list can run to three or more: かんじ漢字でもひらがなでもかたかなカタカナでも.

Examples

。

Please drink whatever you like, whether it's coffee or tea.

。

Either Saturday or Sunday is fine.

。

You can get there whether by train or bus.

。

The game will be held whether it rains or snows.

。

It's a movie that both adults and children can enjoy.

、。

Please email me in either English or Japanese – either is fine.

、。

You should talk to someone about it, whether it's your father or your mother.

。

Please call me anytime, whether morning or night.

。

I don't mind whether it's new or used.

。

I want to keep some kind of animal, whether a dog or a cat.

。

You can write in kanji, hiragana, or katakana – any is fine.

。

This town has many tourists whether it's winter or summer.

References

The Particle でもimabi.org
でも-でもBunpro