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HOW TO SAY BUT IN JAPANESE
As a Japanese language learner one of the challenges you may encounter is learning how to express the ideas of however and but in Japanese.
While these words may seem simple at first, there are actually several different ways to convey these ideas in Japanese, depending on the context and level of formality.
BUT IN JAPANESE WITH でも
The most common way to express “but” in Japanese is with the word でも (demo).
This word is used in a similar way to “but” in English and can be used in a variety of situations.
Add でも at the beginning of the second part of your sentence.
PATTERN
Phrase 1 + でも , Phrase 2
英語は簡単です。でも、日本語は難しいです。
English is easy, but Japanese is difficult.View More Examples:
| JAPANESE | ROMAJI | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 彼女は美人です。でも、性格はあまり良くありません。 | Kanojo wa bijin desu. Demo, seikaku wa amari yoku arimasen. | She is beautiful, but her personality is not very good. |
| 雨が降っています。でも、出かけたいです。 | Ame ga futte imasu. Demo, dekaketai desu. | It’s raining, but I want to go out. |
BUT IN JAPANESE WITH けど
In Japanese, けど (kedo) is a conjunction used to connect two clauses. It is often translated as “but” in English.
To use けど you can just add it to verbs and i-adjectives, but you need to add だ after nouns and na-adjectives before you add it to them.
PATTERN
Verb / na or i-adjective / nouns (+だ) + けど
| JAPANESE | ROMAJI | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 明日は忙しいけど、時間があったら会いましょう。 | Ashita wa isogashii kedo, jikan ga attara aimashou. | I’m busy tomorrow, but if I have time, let’s meet. |
| 天気が悪かったけど、楽しい旅行でした。 | Tenki ga warukatta kedo, tanoshii ryokou deshita. | The weather was bad, but it was a fun trip. |
Unlike “but” in English, けど can be used in various situations, such as to soften a statement, to express contrast, or to introduce a new topic.
Softening a statement
| JAPANESE | ROMAJI | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 申し訳ありませんけど、今日はもう閉店です。 | Moushiwake arimasen kedo, kyou wa mou heiten desu. | I’m sorry, but we’re closed for the day. |
| すみませんけど、ちょっとお手洗いに行ってもいいですか？ | Sumimasen kedo, chotto otearai ni itte mo ii desu ka? | Excuse me, but may I use the restroom? |
Expressing contrast
| JAPANESE | ROMAJI | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 私は寿司が好きですけど、彼は嫌いです。 | Watashi wa sushi ga suki desu kedo, kare wa kirai desu. | I like sushi, but he hates it. |
| このレストランの料理は美味しいですけど、値段が高いです。 | Kono resutoran no ryouri wa oishii desu kedo, nedan ga takai desu. | The food at this restaurant is delicious, but the prices are high. |
Introducing a new topic
| JAPANESE | ROMAJI | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 明日の会議、時間が変更になったんですけど、大丈夫ですか？ | Ashita no kaigi, jikan ga henkou ni nattan desu kedo, daijoubu desu ka? | The time for tomorrow’s meeting has been changed, is that okay? |
| 最近、忙しくて疲れていますけど、あなたはどうですか？ | Saikin, isogashikute tsukarete imasu kedo, anata wa dou desu ka? | I’ve been busy and tired lately, how about you? |
NOTE || If you want to be formal, you can use が in place of けど. Add です in place of だ for nouns and i-adjectives. It’s as simple as that!
HOWEVER IN JAPANESE WITH しかし
The word “however” is a little trickier in Japanese, as there are several different ways to express this idea.
しかし (shikashi) is a more formal way to express “however” in Japanese.
This expression is typically used in writing or formal speech and can be used to contrast two opposing ideas.
It shifts the sentence in a negative way.
PATTERN
Phrase 1 + しかし + Phrase 2
彼は英語が上手です。しかし、日本語は全く話せません。
He is good at English, but he cannot speak Japanese at all.View More Examples:
| JAPANESE | ROMAJI | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 私は貧乏です。しかし、幸せです。 | Watashi wa binbou desu. Shikashi, shiawase desu. | I am poor, but I am happy. |
| この地方は自然が豊かです。しかし、地震が多いです。 | Kono chihou wa shizen ga yutaka desu. Shikashi, jishin ga ooi desu. | This region is abundant in nature, but there are many earthquakes. |
HOWEVER IN JAPANESE WITH それでも
As a native English speaker learning Japanese, you can use それでも (soredemo) in much the same way as you would use “nevertheless” or “even so” in English.
It can be used to show the contrast between two ideas. It’s slightly different to しかし in that it acknowledges the first statement, and then offers up something new.
It shifts to a more positive light whereas しかし shifts to a negative light.
In the following examples, it expresses overcoming obstacles, contrasting a view or action, and emphasising surprise.
彼女は忙しいです。それでも、私たちはデートを楽しめました。
She is busy, but nevertheless, we were able to enjoy our date.View More Examples:
| JAPANESE | ROMAJI | ENGLISH |
|---|---|---|
| 私は雨が嫌いです。それでも、この町は大好きです。 | Watashi wa ame ga kirai desu. Soredemo, kono machi wa daisuki desu. | I hate rain, but even so, I love this town. |
| 彼は病気でした。それでも、仕事を続けました。 | Kare wa byouki deshita. Soredemo, shigoto o tsuzukemashita. | He was sick, but even so, he continued to work. |
SUMMARY
- でも is the most common. It’s used at the start of sentences to act as “But”.
- けど is often used the same as “but” in English mid-sentence. It can also be used to soften a statement, introduce a new topic, or express contrast.
- しかし is a formal way to express “however,” and it’s used to contrast two opposing ideas. This is used for things like disagreement.
- それでも is like “nevertheless,” in English. It is used to show acknowledgement of the first statement but offer up another idea. As such, it can be used for things like overcoming obstacles.
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FAQs
How do you say but in Japanese?
The most common way to express “but” in Japanese is with the word demo でも.
英語は簡単です。でも、日本語は難しいです。
Eigo wa kantan desu. Demo, Nihongo wa muzukashii desu.
English is easy, but Japanese is difficult.
—
Another way to say but in Japanese is けど (kedo), which is a conjunction used to connect two clauses.
天気が悪かったけど、楽しい旅行でした。
Tenki ga warukatta kedo, tanoshii ryokou deshita.
The weather was bad, but it was a fun trip.
How do you say however in Japanese?
しかし (shikashi) is a formal way to express “however” in Japanese.
This expression is typically used in writing or formal speech and can be used to contrast two opposing ideas. It shifts the sentence in a negative way.
この地方は自然が豊かです。しかし、地震が多いです。
Kono chihou wa shizen ga yutaka desu. Shikashi, jishin ga ooi desu.
This region is abundant in nature, but there are many earthquakes.
—
それでも (soredemo) can be used in the same way as you would use “nevertheless” or “even so” in English.
It can be used to show the contrast between two ideas. It’s slightly different to しかし in that it acknowledges the first statement, and then offers up something new.
It shifts to a more positive light whereas しかし shifts to a negative light.
彼女は忙しいです。それでも、私たちはデートを楽しめました。
Kanojo wa isogashii desu. Soredemo, watashitachi wa deeto o tanoshimemashita.
She is busy, but nevertheless, we were able to enjoy our date.
How do you say with in Japanese?
The particle と (to) is a versatile particle in Japanese that is often used to indicate the person, thing, or entity that someone is “with” or “together with.”
This particle can be used with both animate and inanimate objects.
Examples:
彼は猫と暮らしています。
Kare wa neko to kurasu shiteimasu.
He lives with a cat.
私は彼と一緒に勉強します。
Watashi wa kare to issho ni benkyou shimasu.
I study with him.
—
Learn more about With in Japanese here.
How do you say and in Japanese?
The particle と (to) is used to connect nouns or noun phrases that are being compared or are in a partnership.
This is probably the simplest way to convey “and” and one you’ll use all the time.
彼女は猫と犬を飼っている。
Kanojo wa neko to inu wo katte iru.
She has a cat and a dog as pets.
彼は自転車とバスで通勤している。
Kare wa jitensha to basu de tsuukin shite iru.
He commutes to work by bicycle and bus.
—
Learn more about how to say And in Japanese here.
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