Japanese word

それでも

Pronunciation

Romajisoredemo

Meaning

  • conjunctionbut still

Example

忙しいですが、それでも行きます。isoga shi i de su ga so re de mo i ki ma su

I am busy, but I am still going.

Illustration for それでも (but still)

More examples

みんなに反対されましたが、それでも自分で決めます。mi n na ni han tai sa re ma shi ta ga so re de mo ji bun de ki me ma su

Everyone opposed me, but I will decide for myself anyway.

Core concept

Signals that the next point still holds even when the preceding fact seems to argue against it.

Common phrases

  • それでも行くso re de mo i ku

    go anyway

  • それでもやるso re de mo ya ru

    do it anyway

  • それでも続けるso re de mo tsuzu ke ru

    continue anyway

Similar words

でもdemo: Marks a contrasting point while keeping the preceding situation in view.
それなのにsorenanoni: Connects a preceding situation with an unexpected result.
しかしshikashi: Presents a statement that contrasts with the preceding statement.

Definition in Japanese

前に示された事情があっても、なお同じ結果や判断になることを表す語。mae ni shime sa re ta ji jō ga a tte mo na o ona ji kek ka ya han dan ni na ru ko to o arawa su go

Word origin

それでも (soredemo) is formed from それ (sore, "that") and the concessive element でも (demo, "even with"), so it treats what came before as a condition that does not change the conclusion.

Usage tips

  • Learners can distinguish それでも (soredemo) from でも (demo) because それでも points back to an already mentioned situation before stating what still happens.

Other meanings

  • even soconjunction

Word lists with this word