Japanese word

しかし

Pronunciation

Romajishikashi

Meaning

  • conjunctionbut

Example

今日は寒いです。しかし、出かけます。kyō wa samu i de su shi ka shi de ka ke ma su

It is cold today, but I am going out.

Illustration for しかし (but)

More examples

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.

Core concept

Marks a clear contrast between an expected situation and what actually follows.

Similar words

でもdemo: Marks a contrast in a familiar spoken style.
けれどもkeredomo: Connects a statement to another statement that qualifies or contrasts with it.
ところがtokoroga: Presents an unexpected change from the result that was anticipated.

Definition in Japanese

前の内容を受け、その内容とは反対の事柄を述べる。mae no nai yō o u ke so no nai yō to wa han tai no koto gara o no be ru

Word origin

しかし (shikashi, "but") is a native form written 然し (shikashi), built from しか (shika, "so") and し (shi, "and"); its connective use presents the next statement as true despite the first.

Usage tips

  • 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 meanings

  • howeverconjunction

Word lists with this word