JLPT N2 Grammar – Difference between “〜てでも” and “〜てまで”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜てでも” and “〜てまで”
2. AてでもB
3. AてまでB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “〜てでも” and “〜てまで”?
A: “〜てでも” expresses taking strong or forceful measures to achieve a goal or desire, while “〜てまで” describes taking extreme actions that go beyond common sense in order to achieve something.
AてでもB (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
Expresses a strong feeling of wanting to achieve a goal or desire, even if it requires taking forceful or extreme measures
[Rule]
[V] Verb て form + でも
[Examples]
この仕事は徹夜してでも終わらせます。
I’ll finish this work even if I have to stay up all night.
ここのラーメンはとても有名なので、長時間並んででも食べたいです。
This ramen shop is so famous that I want to eat there even if I have to wait in a long line.
大好きな歌手のコンサートなので、何としてでもチケットを手に入れたいです。
Since it’s a concert by my favorite singer, I want to get a ticket no matter what it takes.
In A, there is an extreme means, and in B, the speaker’s desire or hope to achieve something is expressed.
[Examples]
高いお金を払ってでも、新しいスマホを買いたいです。
I want to buy a new smartphone even if I have to pay a lot of money.
⇒ This expresses a strong desire to get a new smartphone, even if it means taking the extreme step of paying a large amount of money.
大事な試験なので、体調は悪いけれど、無理をしてでも受験したいです。
Since it’s an important exam, I want to take it even though I’m not feeling well.
毎日残業してでも、このプロジェクトを成功させたいです。
I want to make this project successful even if I have to work overtime every day.
[Common Expressions]
When you want to achieve a goal regardless of the means, expressions like “何としてでも” (no matter what) and “どんな手を使ってでも” (by any means) are often used.
[Examples]
富士山のご来光は何としてでも見たいね。
I really want to see the sunrise from Mt. Fuji no matter what it takes.
どんな手を使ってでも、この問題を解決したいです。
I want to solve this problem no matter what means I have to use.
AてまでB (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
Expresses choosing an unusually extreme situation or action in order to achieve a certain goal
[Rule]
[V] Verb て form + まで
[Examples]
親から借金してまで、新しいスマホを買いました。
I bought a new smartphone even though I had to borrow money from my parents.
無理をしてまで、働こうと思いません。
I don’t want to work to the point of overexerting myself.
人を傷つけてまで、地位を手に入れたいとは思わないです。
I don’t want to gain a high position by hurting others.
In A, there is an unusually extreme action that people normally wouldn’t take, and in B, the speaker’s intention, opinion, judgment, or evaluation is expressed.
Because A represents an excessive degree, it often carries negative feelings such as surprise or disapproval.
[Examples]
高齢者をだましてまで、お金がほしいんですか。
Do you really want money so much that you would deceive elderly people?
⇒ This expresses the speaker’s criticism toward the immoral act of “lying to elderly people.”
時間を無駄にしてまで、ここで過ごしたくないです。
I don’t want to spend time here to the point of wasting it.
体を壊してまで働くなんて、やりすぎだよ。
Working to the point of ruining your health is just going too far.
Let’s Compare
Which expression is more appropriate in the following sentences?
[Examples]
①怪我をしてでも、試合に出たいです。
②怪我をしてまで、試合に出たいです。
The correct answer is ①.
“AてでもB” is used when B expresses the speaker’s desire or strong will. It conveys a positive feeling and determination such as “I want to achieve it no matter what,” so ① sounds natural here.
Now, look at the next example:
[Examples]
①カンニングしてでも、合格したいと思いません。
②カンニングしてまで、合格したいと思いません。
The correct answer is ②.
“AてまでB” is used when referring to an extreme or unreasonable action that goes beyond common sense, expressing the speaker’s negative opinion or judgment about it.
Summary
[AてでもB]
- In “AてでもB,” A expresses an extreme means, and B shows the speaker’s desire or hope to achieve something.
- It is also used when one wants to accomplish a goal regardless of the means, often with expressions like “何としてでも” (no matter what) or “どんな手を使ってでも” (by any means).
- This form is typically used to express positive wishes or strong determination.
[AてまでB]
- In “AてまでB,” A indicates an unusually extreme action or degree, and B expresses the speaker’s intention, opinion, judgment, or evaluation.
- Because A describes something excessive, the expression often carries a sense of surprise or disapproval.
- It is used to show negative feelings or criticism toward actions that go beyond common sense.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 借りてまで
お金を借りてまで、その高級時計を買う意味はあるの？
Is it really worth buying that expensive watch even if you have to borrow money?
*This refers to the unusual act of “borrowing money from someone” and expresses the speaker’s criticism of such behavior, so “てまで” is correct.
A.ついてまで
うそをついてまで、学校を休むのは良くないよ。
It’s not good to skip school by lying.
*This points to the improper act of “telling a lie” and expresses a negative evaluation, so “てまで” is correct.
A. してでも
何としてでも、日本に行きたいです。
I want to go to Japan no matter what it takes.
*This shows a strong desire to achieve one’s wish regardless of the means, so “てでも” is correct.
A.してでも
徹夜してでも、このレポートを終わらせます。
I’ll finish this report even if I have to stay up all night.
*This expresses a strong determination to accomplish the goal of completing the report, so “てでも” is correct.
Similer Articles
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