English–Japanese
“but” in Japanese
How to say “but” in Japanese
“But” in Japanese is しかし (shikashi).
Marks a clear contrast between an expected situation and what actually follows.
Example sentences with しかし
弟は小さいです。しかし、速く走ります。otōto wa chii sa i de su shi ka shi haya ku hashi ri ma su
My younger brother is small, but he runs fast.
彼は約束を守りました。しかし、私はまだ心配です。kare wa yaku soku o mamo ri ma shi ta shi ka shi watashi wa ma da shin pai de su
He kept his promise. However, I am still worried.
Tips for using しかし
- In everyday conversation, でも (demo) is usually more common than しかし (shikashi), while しかし often sounds more formal or written.
Other Japanese words for “but”
この本は面白いです。だが、少し難しいです。ko no hon wa omo shiro i de su da ga suko shi muzuka shi i de su
This book is interesting. But it is a little difficult.
でも、今日は休みです。de mo kyō wa yasu mi de su
But today is a day off.
この本は面白いけれど、少し長いです。ko no hon wa omo shiro i ke re do suko shi naga i de su
This book is interesting, but it is a little long.
今日は休みです。ただし、宿題があります。kyō wa yasu mi de su ta da shi shuku dai ga a ri ma su
Today is a day off, but I have homework.
今日は疲れています。だけど、勉強します。kyō wa tsuka re te i ma su da ke do ben kyō shi ma su
I am tired today. But I will study.
弟は来ませんでした。ところが、妹は来ました。otōto wa ki ma se n de shi ta to ko ro ga imōto wa ki ma shi ta
My brother did not come. But my sister did.
今日は行きますけど、明日は休みます。kyō wa i ki ma su ke do asu wa yasu mi ma su
I am going today, but I will take tomorrow off.
今日は休みですが、学校へ行きます。kyō wa yasu mi de su ga gak kō e i ki ma su
Today is a day off, but I am going to school.