Scope and emphasis

～でも(例示)

or something; such as ~ (a suggestion)

AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)

Practise this point

ShareFacebook (opens in a new tab)

How to form it

  • Noun + でも + suggestion / invitation / request

Register: Neutral; spoken

Explanation

Gives one example out of several possibilities, to make a suggestion or invitation softer.

The speaker does not insist on that item; it is just an example. Used with offers, questions and suggestions.

Examples

  1. お茶でも飲みませんか。

    おちゃでものみませんか。

    Would you like some tea or something?

  2. 日曜日に、映画でも見に行きましょう。

    にちようびに、えいがでもみにいきましょう。

    Let us go and see a film or something on Sunday.

  3. 疲れたなら、少し休憩でもしたらどうですか。

    つかれたなら、すこしきゅうけいでもしたらどうですか。

    If you are tired, why not take a little rest or something?

  4. 暇なとき、メールでも送ってください。

    ひまなとき、メールでもおくってください。

    When you are free, send me an email or something.

Compare with

  • ～など: など lists examples among others; でも offers one example as a suggestion.

Common mistakes

  • Using it in a statement about a fact; it is for suggestions and invitations.