conjunction
Sentence-opening connector used to introduce contrast, objection, or a related additional point. It is common in speech and everyday writing, and is generally less formal than しかし.
行きたかった。でも、時間がなかった。
I wanted to go. But I didn't have time.
でも、もう一つ問題があります。
However, there is one more problem.
particle
Particle after a noun or noun-like phrase, highlighting something as an extreme, surprising, or minimum example: 'even X'.
この問題は子供でも解ける。
Even a child can solve this problem.
particle
even if; even though; no matter how
Concessive particle use, especially after nouns and na-adjective stems, meaning that the following statement holds despite that condition. In patterns such as どんなに下手でも, it means 'no matter how ...'.
不便でも、この町が好きだ。
Even though it is inconvenient, I like this town.
どんなに下手でも、続ければ上達する。
No matter how bad you are, you will improve if you keep going.
particle
or something; or the like
Softens a suggestion or example after a noun, often implying that the named item is only one possible choice.
週末、映画でも見に行こう。
Let's go see a movie or something this weekend.
お茶でもいかがですか。
Would you like some tea or something?
particle
either ... or ...; neither ... nor ...
Used in the repeated pattern XでもYでも. In affirmative contexts it means 'either X or Y'; with negative expressions such as ない, it can mean 'neither X nor Y'.
電車でもバスでも行けます。
You can go by either train or bus.
これは夢でも冗談でもない。
This is neither a dream nor a joke.
prefix
Rare derogatory prefix-like use before an occupation or role, implying that the person is only nominally in that role or is incompetent. This is limited and not a general-purpose prefix.
「でも医者」は、医者とは名ばかりだとけなす言い方だ。
でも医者 is a disparaging expression meaning someone is a doctor in name only.
prefix
for lack of anything better to do
Rare derogatory prefix-like use before an occupation, associated with でもしか, implying that someone chose that job only because there was nothing better available.
See also: でもしか
「でもしか先生」の「でも」は、ほかにやることがなくて先生になったという皮肉に関わる。
The でも in でもしか先生 is connected with the sarcastic idea of becoming a teacher for lack of anything better to do.