Japanese word

しかしながら

Pronunciation

Romajishikashinagara

Meaning

conjunctionhowever

Example

この本は面白いです。しかしながら、少し難しいです。ko no hon wa omo shiro i de su shi ka shi na ga ra suko shi muzuka shi i de su

This book is interesting. However, it is a little difficult.

More examples

しかしながら、この案にはまだ多くの問題があります。shi ka shi na ga ra ko no an ni wa ma da ō ku no mon dai ga a ri ma su

However, this proposal still has many problems.

Core concept

Marks a turn from an accepted point to a contrasting or limiting point.

Similar words

でもdemo: Introduces a contrasting point in casual speech and informal writing.
しかしshikashi: Introduces a contrast with the preceding statement in neutral written and spoken language.
とはいえtowaie: Introduces a qualification that limits or softens the point just made.
それでもsoredemo: Introduces a result that holds despite the preceding point.

Definition in Japanese

先に述べた内容を認めたうえで、反対または制限となる内容を続けて示す接続語。saki ni no be ta nai yō o mito me ta u e de han tai ma ta wa sei gen to na ru nai yō o tsuzu ke te shime su setsu zoku go

Word origin

しかしながら (shikashinagara, "however") combines しかし (shikashi, "but") with ながら (nagara, "while or although") to form a concessive transition.

Usage tips

しかしながら (shikashinagara) sounds more formal than でも (demo) and therefore appears often in formal writing and speeches.