Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
なんでも~ (nandemo~)

なんでも~ (nandemo~)

Short explanation:

Means 'any', 'anything', 'anyone'.

Formation:

なんでも + Verb, なんでも + Adjective, なんでも + Noun

Examples:

なんでも食べられるから、何を頼んでも大丈夫です。
Nandemo taberareru kara, nani wo tanondemo daijoubu desu.
I can eat anything, so it's okay to order whatever you want.
なんでもよければ、この本をおすすめします。
Nandemo yokereba, kono hon wo osusume shimasu.
If you're okay with anything, I recommend this book.
なんでもできるスタッフを探しています。
Nandemo dekiru sutaffu wo sagashiteimasu.
We are looking for a staff member who can do anything.
この食堂では、なんでも美味しくて安い料理が出されます。
Kono shokudou de wa, nandemo oishikute yasui ryouri ga dasaremasu.
In this cafeteria, any dish served is delicious and inexpensive.

Long explanation:

The なんでも grammar point is used to express the concept of 'any', 'anything', or 'anyone' in Japanese. It can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns. It is often used in the meaning of 'no matter what' or 'regardless of'.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: なんでも~ (nandemo~)

Japanese Grammar Point: なんでも~ (nandemo~)

Grammar Point: なんでも~ (nandemo~)

1. Introduction

なんでも (nandemo) is a Japanese expression meaning "anything", "whatever", or "everything". It's used to indicate that there are no limitations or restrictions, expressing a willingness to accept any option or that something applies to all things.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning and Usage

  • なんでも is used to express that any option is acceptable or that something applies to everything.
  • It emphasizes openness, flexibility, or comprehensiveness.

Structure

The basic structure is:

なんでも + Affirmative Verb / Adjective / Noun
  • なんでも is typically used with affirmative verbs.

Formation Diagram

Component Function Example
なんでも "Anything" なんでも
食べます Affirmative Verb 食べます (tabemasu)
なんでも食べます "I eat anything" なんでも食べます

3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Expressions

  • 何も(なにも) + Negative Verb
    • Means "nothing".
    • Used with negative verbs.
    • Example:
      • 何も食べません。
      • Nani mo tabemasen.
      • "I don't eat anything."
  • どれも + Affirmative Verb
    • Means "all of them".
    • Implies every option is included.
    • Example:
      • どれも美味しいです。
      • Doremo oishii desu.
      • "All of them are delicious."

Differences

  • なんでも focuses on any or all options without restriction.
  • 何も is used in negative contexts, meaning "nothing".
  • どれも refers to all items within a specific group.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

  1. なんでもご覧ください。
    • Nandemo goran kudasai.
    • "Please feel free to look at anything."
  2. ご不明な点はなんでもお尋ねください。
    • Gofumei na ten wa nandemo otazune kudasai.
    • "Please ask about anything you're unsure of."

Informal Situations

  1. なんでも好きなものを選んで。

    • Nandemo sukina mono o erande.
    • "Choose whatever you like."
  2. なんでも言ってね。

    • Nandemo itte ne.
    • "Feel free to say anything."

Written Context

  1. 彼はなんでも知りたがる性格だ。
    • Kare wa nandemo shiritagaru seikaku da.
    • "He has a personality that wants to know about everything."
  2. なんでも可能にする技術。
    • Nandemo kanō ni suru gijutsu.
    • "Technology that makes anything possible."

Spoken Context

  1. A: 夕食は何がいい?
    • A: Yūshoku wa nani ga ii?
    • "A: What would you like for dinner?" B: なんでもいいよ。
    • B: Nandemo ii yo.
    • "B: Anything is fine."
  2. A: 欲しいものはある?
    • A: Hoshii mono wa aru?
    • "A: Is there anything you want?" B: なんでも揃ってるから大丈夫。
    • B: Nandemo sorotteru kara daijōbu.
    • "B: I have everything I need, so it's okay."

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

  • Expressing flexibility and non-imposition is valued in Japanese culture.
  • Saying なんでもいいです ("anything is fine") shows consideration and politeness by deferring choices to others.

Levels of Politeness

  • Casual:
    • なんでもいいよ。
      • Nandemo ii yo.
      • "Anything is fine."
  • Polite:
    • なんでもいいです。
      • Nandemo ii desu.
      • "Anything is fine."
  • Honorific:
    • なんでも結構です。
      • Nandemo kekkō desu.
      • "Anything is acceptable."

Idiomatic Expressions

  • なんでも屋(や)
    • Nandemo-ya
    • Literally: "Anything shop"
    • Refers to a jack-of-all-trades or a business that handles various tasks.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  • Using なんでも with Negative Verbs Incorrectly
    • Incorrect:
      • なんでも食べません。
      • Nandemo tabemasen.
      • (Intended to mean "I don't eat anything.")
    • Correct Usage:
      • 何も食べません。
      • Nani mo tabemasen.
      • "I don't eat anything."
  • Confusing なんでも with いつでも (itsudemo)
    • なんでも means "anything".
    • いつでも means "anytime".

Learning Strategies

  • Mnemonic Device:
    • なん (what) + でも (even) = anything
    • Think of なんでも as "whatever it is, it's acceptable."
  • Tip:
    • Remember that なんでも is used with affirmative verbs to mean "anything".
    • For negative sentences, use 何も (nani mo) with a negative verb to mean "nothing".

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • なんでも (nandemo) means "anything", "whatever", or "everything".
  • Used to express no limitations or that any option is acceptable.
  • Typically used with affirmative verbs.
  • Be cautious not to confuse なんでも with 何も (nani mo), which means "nothing" and is used with negative verbs.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Translate to Japanese: "Please choose anything you like."
    • Answer: なんでも好きなものを選んでください。
  2. Fill in the Blank: To say "I don't need anything," you should use ______.
    • Answer: 何もいりません。(Nani mo irimasen.)
  3. True or False: なんでも can be used with negative verbs to mean "nothing."
    • Answer: False. (何も is used with negative verbs to mean "nothing.")

By understanding なんでも, you can express flexibility and openness in Japanese conversations, which is an essential aspect of Japanese social interactions.

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