Understanding てでも (tedemo): A Streetwise JLPT N2 Grammar Guide

gangster tortune scene

組くみの秘密ひみつを口外こうがいしない為ために、拷問ごうもんされてでも、口くちを割わらない。
To not expose the gang’s secrets, I won’t talk, even if I’m tortured.

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What’s the score, you little wasteman? You’re here to learn some proper Japanese, yeah? This “てでも” is a right dodgy one, but I’ll break it down for ya so you don’t get mugged off. It’s like, “even if I gotta do this mad ting, I’m gonna get it done.” It’s about showing you’re a proper grafter and you’ll go to any length to get what you want, no matter how wild or difficult it is. You’d use this when you’re proper ‘ard and not afraid of a bit of graft. It shows pure determination, like you’d get done in by the feds even if it means getting the job done.

Think of “てでも” like a proper dodgy heist. You’ve got the loot you wanna nick, yeah? The goal. “てでも” is that getaway driver that’s willing to speed down the wrong side of the road, crash through a bollard, or ram a police car just to get away with the cash. It’s about being willing to do whatever it takes, no matter how risky or against the rules, to achieve your main goal. That one geezer who’s ready to go all out.


Right, pay attention. This ain’t rocket science, but you need to get it right, or you’ll sound like a proper clown. You just chuck this “てでも” onto the end of the て-form of a verb. Easy peasy.

Englishて-form + でも
to go行いってでも
to take取とってでも
to catch捕つかまえてでも
to kill殺ころしてでも

It’s proper simple, innit? Just find the て-form of the verb you wanna use, and stick a “でも” on the end of it. It’s the same as joining a noun with “でも,” but for verbs. Just remember to use the right form of the verb, or you’ll be proper clapped. If the verb ends in “う,” “つ,” or “る,” it becomes “って.” If it’s a “く,” it’s “いて,” and “ぐ” becomes “いで.” You get the drift.


Now, listen up. Here are some examples to show you how this ting is used. Don’t be a donut; pay attention to how we use it.

金かねを盗ぬすんででも、俺おれは家族かぞくを守まもる。
Even if I have to steal money, I will protect my family.

人ひとを騙だましてでも、俺おれは成功せいこうする。
Even if I have to deceive people, I will succeed.

借金しゃっきんをしてでも、俺おれは自分じぶんのクラブを持もつ。
Even if I have to go into debt, I will have my own club.

友達ともだちを売うってでも、俺おれは自由じゆうを手てに入いれる。
Even if I have to sell out my friends, I will gain my freedom.

夜通よどおし走はしってでも、朝あさまでに着つく。
Even if I have to run all night, I will arrive by morning.

命いのちを懸かけてでも、あいつを助たすけたい。
Even if it costs me my life, I want to save that person.

体からだを張はってでも、俺おれは彼女かのじょを守まもる。
Even if I have to put my body on the line, I will protect her.

警察けいさつに追おわれてでも、俺おれは逃にげ切きる。
Even if I am pursued by the police, I will escape.

金かねを返かえす為ために、臓器ぞうきを売うってでも、工面くめんする。
To pay back the money, I’ll raise the funds, even if I have to sell my organs.

あの裏切うらぎり者ものを、地獄じごくの果はてまで追おいかけてでも、必かならず殺ころす。
I will definitely kill that traitor, even if I have to chase them to the ends of hell.


Stay dangerous.

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