||  cybertutorial 5 ||  the demo particle

The Emphasis-Indicating Particle

A major function of "demo" is to emphasize what precedes it
in comparison with other implied people or things.

Examples:

Boku mo sono gurai no koto wa dekimasu yo.
I (also) can do something as simple as that!

Boku demo sono gurai no koto wa dekimasu yo.
(Even) I can do something as simple as that!

Sono gurai no koto wa dare demo dekimasu yo.
Anyone can do something as simple as that!

Note: Following an interrogative word, the particle demo has the function of changing the meaning of the interrogative word:
dare --> "who"
dare
demo --> "anyone, everyone"


Another common function of demo is to indicate that what
precedes it is but one thing among other things or more or less the
same kind.

Examples:

Eiga demo mi ni ikimashou.
Let's go see (a) movie (or something).

Ocha demo nomi ni ikimasen ka.
Won't (you) go have (a cup of) tea (or something) (with me)?


When used in a negative sentence, demo indicates that what precedes it is not "quite" something.

Example:

Sou demo nai keredomo ....
(It's) not (quite) that, but ....


demo following nouns, or words treated as nouns, imparts a
concessive sense to the sentence for emphasis.

Examples:

Byouki demo ikanakereba narimasen.
(Even if) (you are) sick (you) have to go.

Sono sigoto ga iya demo yaranakereba narimasen.
(Even if) (you) dislike that job (you) have to do (it).

Ame demo ikimasu yo.
(Even if) rain (I) will go!


Sample Sentences:


Anata demo Nihongo o oboeru koto ga dekimasu yo.
(Even) you can learn Japanese.

Ano koto wa dare demo shitte imasu yo.
dare --> who // dare demo --> anyone, everyone
Anyone knows that!

Itu demo asobi ni kite kudasai.
itu --> when // itsu demo --> anytime, whenever
Please come to visit anytime.

Aa iu mono wa doko demo kaemasu yo.
doko --> where // doko demo --> anywhere, everywhere
(You) can buy that kind of thing everywhere!

Kanojo wa konpyuuta no koto nara nan demo shitte imasu yo.
nan --> what // nan demo --> everything, whatever
(If it is a) matter of computers, she knows everything.

Demo okasii desu yo.
(Still) it is strange!

 

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