Japanese question words (いつ, 何, 誰, どこ, etc.) change their meaning dramatically when you add でも after them. Instead of asking a question, they express universal affirmation -- "no matter what/when/who/where."
Basic Pattern
Question word + でも + affirmative sentence = No matter... / Any...
| Question word | + でも | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| いつ (when) | いつでも | anytime | いつでも大丈夫です。 Anytime is fine. |
| 何 (what) | 何でも | anything | 何でも食べられます。 I can eat anything. |
| 誰 (who) | 誰でも | anyone | 誰でもできます。 Anyone can do it. |
| どこ (where) | どこでも | anywhere | どこでも行きます。 I'll go anywhere. |
Key rule: The sentence after question word + でも is always affirmative. No matter what -- "can," "is fine," "will do" -- always positive.
Position with Other Particles
If the question word already has a particle, でも comes after that particle:
| Combination | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 誰とでも | 誰とでも友達になれます。 | I can become friends with anyone. |
| どこへでも | どこへでも行きます。 | I'll go anywhere. |
| 何でも | 何でも買えます。 | I can buy anything. |
Look at 誰とでも: 誰 (who) + と (with) + でも = no matter who with.
Practical Examples
いつでも大丈夫です。 = Anytime works. 何でも食べられます。 = I can eat anything. 誰とでも友達になれます。 = I can make friends with anyone. あの人はやさしい人なので、誰とでも友達になれます。 = That person is kind, so they can make friends with anyone.
Don't Confuse with Conjunction でも
Japanese also has でも as a conjunction meaning "but" -- でも、お金がない。 (But I have no money.)
How to tell them apart:
- Question word + でも = universal affirmation (no matter...)
- でも at the start of a sentence = conjunction (but)
Same spelling, completely different meanings. Position tells you which is which.
Wrap-Up
- Question word + でも = no matter... (universal affirmation)
- Always followed by an affirmative sentence
- いつでも (anytime), 何でも (anything), 誰でも (anyone), どこでも (anywhere)
- If other particles are present (と, へ, etc.), でも comes after them
Practice
Q1. What does "何でも食べられます" mean?
Answer
I can eat anything.
何 (what) + でも = no matter what. 食べられます = can eat.
Q2. How do you say "I can become friends with anyone" in Japanese?
Answer
誰とでも友達になれます。
誰 (who) + と (with) + でも = no matter who with. 友達になれます = can become friends.
Q3. What does でも mean in each sentence?
- 「いつでも来てください」
- 「でも、時間がありません」
Answer
- First: Question word + でも, universal affirmation. "Please come anytime."
- Second: Conjunction でも, meaning "but." "But I don't have time."
Different positions, completely different meanings.