Grammar - Grade 2 List View

Review these list items to study and edit your keyphrase and other memory aids.
Grammar Point
adverb (fukushi)
adv 
word usually written using kana alone
uk 
A Keyphrase should be a short phrase that brings to mind and helps to remember the information on this frame.
何でもなんでも

I am told, I hear, I understand, they say

at start of sentence

何でも + Sentence

何でも is used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to express that the speaker is not entirely certain about the information they are sharing. It conveys a sense of vague knowledge or hearsay, and often translates to 'I don't know for sure, but' or 'somehow or other'.

Adverbial Usage

Place 何でも at the start of a statement to indicate that the information being presented is somewhat uncertain or based on vague understanding rather than concrete facts.

I don't know for sure, but he is not coming tomorrow.

Somehow or other, that movie is very interesting.

Note

Note that this specific usage of 何でも is completely different from its more common meaning of 'anything' or 'everything'. When used to indicate uncertainty, it functions as an adverb and is placed at the beginning of the sentence to set a context of vague knowledge for the listener. While it is naturally paired with hearsay grammar in daily speech, the word itself is enough to establish that the speaker is uncertain about the following statement.

Words: 
何でもなんでも
Radicals of radicals