ISORI

疑問詞(ぎもんし)+でも

JLPT N4:

any- (at all)

A question word + でも means "any… at all" with a positive verb: 何(なん)でも (anything), 誰(だれ)でも (anyone), いつでも (any time), どこでも (anywhere).

How to form it

  • Add でも to the question word: 誰(だれ) becomes 誰(だれ)でも.
  • が and を are dropped before でも: 何(なん)でも食(た)べる (I'll eat anything).
  • Other particles go before でも: 誰(だれ)にでも (to anyone), どこにでも (anywhere).
  • Use a positive verb. For "no-" with a negative, use 疑問詞(ぎもんし)+も + negative.

Examples

質問(しつもん)があれば、いつでも聞(き)いてください。

If you have any questions, ask any time.

弟(おとうと)は何(なん)でも食(た)べます。

My little brother eats anything.

Notes

  • A noun such as お茶(おちゃ) followed by でも can offer one example option in an invitation. See suggestion Nでも for this different use.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 何(なん)でも as なにでも.
  • Using でも with a negative for "nothing". Say 何(なに)も食(た)べない.

Similar meaning