Japanese word

だが

Pronunciation

Romajidaga

Meaning

  • conjunctionbut

Example

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.

Illustration for だが (but)

More examples

雨は降っています。だが、試合は続いています。ame wa fu tte i ma su da ga shi ai wa tsuzu i te i ma su

It is raining. However, the game is continuing.

Core concept

Introduces a turn in meaning by setting the following statement against the preceding one.

Similar words

でもdemo: Marks a contrast in casual spoken language.
しかしshikashi: Marks a contrast in a more formal style.
けれどもkeredomo: Links contrasting ideas with a gentle tone.
ところがtokoroga: Presents a result that is contrary to an expectation.

Definition in Japanese

前の内容を受け、それとは異なる事柄を続けて述べる語。mae no nai yō o u ke so re to wa koto na ru koto gara o tsuzu ke te no be ru go

Word origin

The conjunction だが (daga) combines だ (da, "is") with が (ga, "but"), which gives the expression its contrastive function.

Usage tips

  • In formal dialogue and written narration, だが (daga) can mark a deliberate change of direction, while casual speech commonly favors でも (demo).

Word lists with this word