Saying “but” in Japanese is a basic conjunction used to introduce a contrast between two ideas. While the most common way to say “but” is demo (でも), there are several variations, each carrying a slightly different nuance. Some express disappointment, others are more neutral. Some appear in the middle of a sentence, while others come at the beginning.

However, because Japanese society is high-context and values the art of reading between the lines, learning about it is more than just memorizing a word. In real-life usage, words like “however,” “even though,” and “but” often function as a soft rejection or even an indirect way of making a request. You’ll hear it frequently in both spoken and written Japanese.

Curious to learn them all? Let’s explore the basic and nuanced ways to say “but” in Japanese.

1. Demo (でも)

Structure: [Sentence 1]. でも [Sentence 2]

でも is a versatile particle that allows speakers to create contrast, soften statements, or express subtle nuance. Traditionally, でも is used to connect two clauses, similar to the English word “but.” However, there are some key differences. 

Firstly, unlike English’s “but,” which often needs to be wedged between two independent clauses, でも can appear at the beginning of a sentence.

Example:
A：Bさん、今度のプレゼン、日本語でやってみたら？
A: B-san, kondo no purezen, nihongo de yatte mitara?
A: B-san, for the presentation, what about trying to do it in English?

B：でも、私、まだ日本語が下手だから．．．。
B: Demo, watashi, mada nihongo ga heta da kara…
B: But, right now, my Japanese is still poor.

Additionally, でも is more informal than “but,” which means it is widely used in everyday speech but is less appropriate in formal writing. Its usage is not limited to simple contrasts; it can also express concession or reservation depending on context. 

私は日本語が話せます。でも、日本語が書けません。
Watashi wa nihongo ga hanasemasu. Demo, nihongo ga kakemasen.
I can speak Japanese, but I cannot write Japanese.

でも can do more than simply contrast two ideas. It can also convey concession or a sense of reservation, which adds subtlety to your statements. For example:

今日は忙しいです。でも、あなたのために時間を作ります。
Kyou wa isogashii desu. Demo, anata no tame ni jikan o tsukurimasu
I am busy today, but I will make time for you

The first clause states a limitation (being busy), while the second clause shows a concession or exception. Here, でも softens the refusal and introduces a willingness to compromise, making the statement polite and considerate rather than blunt.

Before you continue reading, make sure you at least know how to read hiragana. Check out our blog on the hiragana chart to download a free PDF.

2. Kedo (けど)

Structure: [Clause 1] + けど + [Clause 2]

けど (kedo) is another very common way to say “but” in Japanese, and it’s closely related to でも (demo). Like でも, it connects two contrasting ideas. However, けど is generally more casual and softer than でも.

One key difference is that けど can appear at the end of a sentence, often to imply something indirectly or to make a request politely. In English, this is like trailing off with “but…”

Why so? In Japanese culture, being indirect is often considered polite, especially when making requests or expressing disagreement. When placed at the end of a sentence, it softens the statement or request, making it less direct and leaving room for the listener to respond. 

If you are curious to learn more, we have a separate article about why けど and が are used for more than just saying “but”. 

3. Keredomo (けれども)

Structure: [Clause 1] + けど + [Clause 2]

When it comes to meaning and usage, there’s not much difference between けど and けれども. The main thing is that けれども is the full, more formal version. You can use it if you want your sentence or conversation to sound a bit more polished.

Just like けど, けれども usually means “but,” but because it’s more formal, it can feel closer to “although” or “provided that.” Basically, it highlights that while you’re thinking about (A), (B) is important or needs to be considered.

Also, like けど and other “but” words in Japanese, the part after けれども is often left out if it’s obvious or if the speaker doesn’t really want to say it.

映画を見に行きたいけれども、今日はちょっと疲れている。
Eiga o mi ni ikitai keredomo, kyou wa chotto tsukarete iru.
I want to go see a movie, but I’m a bit tired today.

4. Ga (が)

Structure: [Clause 1] + けど + [Clause 2]

The versatile が particle can also function as a conjunction used to contrast two ideas, similar to “but” in English. が is more formal and neutral than けど, and it often appears within a single sentence.

Interestingly, が can carry nuances similar to けど, hinting at a soft rejection, an indirect request, or bringing up a topic gently. This is particularly useful in Japanese society, which values indirect communication. Using けど or が at the end of a sentence gives listeners a subtle hint about what the speaker intends without stating it explicitly. Paying attention to these social cues helps you understand the speaker’s true meaning.

 テーブルが汚いんですが。
Teiburu ga kitanain desu ga.
The table is dirty (could you please wipe it)?

Here, the speaker is indirectly suggesting that the table should be cleaned. By adding が, the statement becomes less aggressive, softening the complaint to something like: “The table is dirty, but…” This subtlety makes the communication polite and considerate while still conveying the intended message.

5. Shikashi (しかし)

Structure: しかし + [Sentence]

Ever hear someone say “however” in everyday English conversation? Probably you have, but rarely. The reason might be that it sounds stiff and formal. Similarly, しかし (shikashi) carries the same tone in Japanese. While it can indicate the same meaning as “but,” it is typically more formal. しかし is most often found in writing, essays, news articles, reports, or formal speeches rather than in casual conversation. It emphasizes contrast between two ideas in a clear, logical, and often strong way, making it useful when you want to connect two contrasting points in a precise manner.

Like “however” in English, しかし (shikashi) is typically used at the beginning of a sentence, introducing a statement that contrasts with the previous idea.

この計画は面白いです。しかし、実現は難しいです。
Kono keikaku wa omoshiroi desu. Shikashi, jitsugen wa muzukashii desu.
This plan is interesting. However, implementing it is difficult.

6. Sore Demo (それでも)

Structure: それでも + [Sentence]

それでも translates roughly as “even so” or “nevertheless” in English. Unlike しかし (shikashi), which carries a sense that the contrasting idea is absolute, それでも acknowledges the first statement while introducing a new point, leaving more flexibility in the conversation. それでも often shifts the conversation toward a more positive or constructive perspective, acknowledging the first point but introducing a solution, alternative, or hopeful aspect. In contrast, しかし usually emphasizes a negative or limiting contrast

今日は雨が降っています。しかし、試合は中止になりません.
Kyou wa ame ga futteimasu. Shikashi, shiai wa chuushi ni narimasen.
It’s raining today. However, the game will not be canceled.

Notice in the example above, the focus is on the negative situation (rain) and contrasts it firmly with the outcome.

今日は雨が降っています。それでも、試合は楽しめます。
Kyou wa ame ga futteimasu. Sore demo, shiai wa tanoshimemasu.
It’s raining today. Even so, we can still enjoy the game.

Here, the rain is acknowledged, but the focus moves to a positive possibility.

In other words, it softens the contrast rather than completely rejecting the previous idea. This makes それでも a more diplomatic way to express “but” in Japanese, especially when discussing differing opinions with friends, coworkers, or in situations where you want to be considerate of the other person’s perspective.

7. Noni (のに)

Type	Structure
Verb (plain form)	Verb + のに
い-adjective	Adjective + のに
な-adjective	Adjective + な + のに
Noun	Noun + なのに

のに is a conjunction that expresses disappointment or frustration, and can be translated as “even though,” “although,” or “in spite of.” It is used to combine two sentences in a way that highlights an unexpected or undesirable outcome.

The structure is simple: (Sentence A) のに + (Sentence B)

Think of it as: “Despite the fact that (Sentence A), (Sentence B).”

What makes のに different from other “but” words like けど or が is that it doesn’t just contrast two ideas—it highlights a result that went against what you expected, often with an emotional punch.

たくさん勉強したのに、試験に落ちてしまった。
Takusan benkyou shita noni, shiken ni ochite shimatta.
Even though I studied a lot, I failed the exam.

See the pattern? のに lets you show that something didn’t go as expected, and it’s a great way to express mild frustration.

Here’s another tip to make your Japanese sound more natural: while のに is usually followed by a second statement to complete the contrast, in casual conversation, you can use it on its own to imply disappointment. This way, you can express frustration or surprise without needing to finish the sentence. 

たくさん勉強したのに….
Takusen benkyou shita no ni…
Even though I studied a lot…

8. Tokoro Ga (ところが)

Structure: [Sentence 1]. ところが [Sentence 2]

Another way to express an unexpected result in Japanese is ところが. It comes from the noun ところ (tokoro), which literally means “place,” combined with the particle が. You use it when something happens that’s completely different from what you expected.

You’ll usually see ところが at the beginning of a new sentence. If you’ve learned ところで, which means “by the way,” the structure looks the same, but the meaning is totally different. ところが is all about pointing out something that contrasts with what came before.

One thing to keep in mind: ところが is mostly used for things outside the speaker’s control. Unlike のに, it doesn’t always carry a negative feeling. For example, if you try to do something and think it might fail, you can also use ところが when it unexpectedly works out!

昨日は雨が降ると思っていた。ところが、朝から晴れていた。
Kinou wa ame ga furu to omotte ita. Tokoro ga, asa kara hanarete ita.
I thought it would rain yesterday. However, it was sunny from the morning.

9. To Ittemo (とは言っても)

Structure: [A] と言っても [B]

The phrase と言っても is a handy way to say “even if I say (A)” or “though you could say (A).” It comes from と言う (“to say”) + ても (“even if”), so literally it’s like saying “even if I say…” You use it when you want to introduce an idea but immediately clarify or add nuance to it. It works after almost any word or tense. Just a note: for な-adjectives and nouns, you might sometimes hear だ before と言っても, though often it’s left out. Also, if there’s no clear speaker, と言っても can mean something like “some might say (A)” or “it’s said that (A).” Basically, it’s perfect for softening your statement or adding a little extra nuance.

高いと言っても、そんなに高くないよ。
Takai to ittemo, sonna ni takakunai yo.
Even if I say it’s expensive, it’s really not that bad.

10. Tada (ただ)

Structure: [Statement 1]. ただ, [Statement 2]

ただ literally means “only” or “just,” but when used in conversation or writing, it often works like “however” or “but” to add a small limitation or exception to what you just said. It’s less formal than しかし but more neutral than けれど.

You can use ただ when you want to point out a caveat without making it sound too strong or confrontational.

このレストランは美味しい。ただ、少し高い。
Kono resutoran wa oishii. Tada, sukoshi takai.
This restaurant is tasty. But it’s a bit expensive.

How Japanese People Use “But”

This is where Japanese “but” gets interesting. We have briefly mentioned this in the grammar けど and が. Unlike English, where “but” mainly signals contrast, in Japanese, there are several grammatical roles it can play, depending on the word you use.

1. The obvious contrast

The most familiar and very obvious use of “but” is to show direct opposition between two ideas. Words like でも, けど, が, and しかし fit this category. Here, it is simple: the first clause is true, and the second clause introduces an opposing situation.

2. Softening statement

As a country known for its high-context communication, where meaning relies heavily on nonverbal cues, relationships, and shared cultural knowledge rather than explicitly stated words, some “buts” (especially が and けれど) don’t signal strong contradiction. Instead, they function as softeners, similar to saying “I would say… but…” in English.

そう思うが、どうかな。
Sou omou ga, dou ka na.
I think so, but I’m not sure.

Here, the second clause doesn’t fully contradict the first. It just makes the statement less blunt.

3. Rejecting something

Japanese culture favors indirect rejection, so “but” isn’t always used to directly argue. Instead, it can politely decline or contradict without sounding harsh. Some Japanese “buts” are used specifically to reject, object, or disagree. This is very common in conversation when you want to refuse a suggestion or gently contradict someone.

Often, the speaker may leave the sentence incomplete, ending it with が or けど without finishing the thought. The listener is expected to “read between the lines” and understand the implied refusal.

If someone asks you out on a date, you could say:

用事があるんですが
Youji ga arundesu ga….
I have plans, but…

Here, you don’t need to finish the sentence. The other person will usually understand that you’re politely declining.

Conclusion: But Wait! Learn Japanese with Coto Academy!

Now that we have learned “but” is a versatile tool that can soften statements, add nuance, show concession, express surprise, or even politely reject an idea, the next thing we need to do is apply it in real life. 

Ready to take your Japanese to the next level? Coto Academy offers fun, practical lessons to help you read between the lines and use expressions like a native speaker. Start learning today, and never be caught off guard by a subtle “but” again!

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• Over  60+ different Japanese classes over 18 levels
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FAQ

How do you say “but” in Japanese?

The most common words for “but” are でも (demo), が (ga), and しかし (shikashi).

When should I use でも (demo)?

You use でも to connect contrasting ideas in casual conversation.

When should I use しかし (shikashi)?

しかし is more formal and common in writing, news, or essays.

What is the difference between でも and が?

Yes, でも can start a sentence to contrast with a previous statement.

Read More:

• Guide to Japanese Particle
• Basic Japanese Words to Know

Congratulations! Whether it’s something you’ve achieved or a win for someone you care about, celebrating life’s big and small moments is a universal experience. Acknowledging these moments verbally is just as important. The most common way to say “congratulations” in Japanese is おめでとう (omedetou). But just like in English, there are many other ways to say “well done,” give kudos for someone’s hard work, and share in their good news.

In this guide, we’ll go over the different ways to say congratulations in Japanese, when you can use them, and introduce other similar expressions that can also be used to commemorate someone’s success or good news.

Meaning of “Omedetou” (おめでとう) in Japanese

As we mentioned, the most common and basic way to say “congratulations” in Japanese is by saying, “おめでとうございます (omedetou gozaimasu).” You may have learned おめでとう (omedetou) before, but what does it actually mean?

The phrase is almost always written in hiragana in modern Japanese and is rarely seen in kanji. However, looking at its original kanji form may help reveal its deeper meaning and how it came to represent the feeling of joy and praise we use today.

Historically, omedetou was written as either お目出度う or お芽出度う. Here is a breakdown of each character: 

• お (o): an honorific prefix showing respect or politeness
• 目/芽 (me): means eye or bud, symbolizing something visible or something about to grow
• 出 (de): means to come out, emerge, or appear
• 度 (tou): means degree, extent, or occasion

Together, the expression can be interpreted as “it’s a joyous occasion to see something sprouting or coming to life.”

You can probably tell how its rather poetic origin connects with its current usage of celebrating success or growth, such as someone achieving a goal, reaching a milestone, or beginning a new chapter. Over time, this meaning evolved into the modern sense of “congratulations,” which expresses genuine happiness for someone else’s accomplishment.

How to Use Omedetou in Japanese

Intuitively, you could use omedetou in the same way you would use “congratulations” in English. You can use it whenever you want to praise someone for their recent achievements or positive events, for instance: getting married, giving birth, starting a business, or getting a medical license. 

However, omedetou is arguably more flexible than “congratulations” since you can also use it for celebratory occasions such as birthdays or New Year’s. It turns out that there are a variety of uses for omedetou, and its usage might slightly change depending on the situation. 

Keep in mind that おめでとう (omedetou) is the more casual form. To make it more formal, you add ございます (gozaimasu) after it. This follows the same principle as saying thank you in Japanese: ありがとう (arigatou) is casual, while ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) is more polite.

10 Ways to Say Congratulations in Japanese

So, what are all the possible ways you can say congratulations in Japanese? Are there alternatives that are better for certain situations?

1. おめでとう: Omedetou

Omedetou, as mentioned, means “congratulations” or “congrats!” It is common in a more casual context, like with friends and family. The expression is widely applicable to a variety of situations, from celebrating a friend’s success to wishing a happy birthday or holiday. For example, when your friend passes the highly challenging JLPT N2 exam, you can congratulate them by saying: 

日本語能力試験N2合格おめでとう！

Nihongo nouryoku shiken N2 goukaku omedetou!

Congrats on passing the JLPT N2!

You can attach almost any milestone or accomplishment to it, like 結婚おめでとう (kekkon omedetou) for marriage, 合格おめでとう (goukaku omedetou) for passing an exam, or 卒業おめでとう (sotsugyou omedetou) for graduation.

2. おめでとうございます Omedetou Gozaimasu

By adding ございます(gozaimasu) to おめでとう(omedetou), you are making the phrase more formal. Omedetou gozaimasu is commonly used in a work or formal setting where you’re speaking to your boss, colleagues, or clients. For example, if your colleague recently got married, you could congratulate them with this expression. 

ご結婚おめでとうございます。
Gokekkon omedetougozaimasu
Congratulations on your wedding

Read More: Guide to Japanese Weddings and How to Congratulate Newlyweds

3. めでたしめでたし:  Medetashi Medetashi

This is a rather traditional expression that’s not used too often today, but can be a fun and sincere way to express your happiness for someone or to congratulate them. The phrase means something like “all is well that ends well” or “happily ever after”. It has a rather poetic tone to it, like something from a folktale. 

Medetashi medetashi has a lyrical ring and jubilant tone, so if you do say it, people will appreciate your joyous nature and knowledge of traditional Japanese expressions. While it’s no longer used very often, you can use this phrase to sincerely congratulate someone on just about any occasion. It can also be used humorously to express congratulations for a pleasant end to something

試験も終わって試験も終わったし、結果も良かったし。めでたしめでたし！
Shiken mo owatte shi、kekka mo yokatta shi. Medetashi medetashi!
The exams are over and the results were good. All is well that ends well!

4. 良かった: Yokatta

“Yokatta” stems from the root adjective 良い (yoi or ii), which means “good” or “well.” 良かった (yokatta) is a familiar expression often used casually to show that you’re glad something went well. Its literal translation is “was good,” but in conversation it often conveys a warmer meaning such as “that’s good to hear” or “I’m happy to hear that.” It’s a friendly, heartfelt expression that’s great to use with close friends.

仕事が決まったんだって？よかったね！
Shigoto ga kimattan datte? Yokatta ne!
You got the job? That’s awesome!

Did you know you can say yokatta for “you’re welcome in Japanese”. Read our blog for 11 ways to say you’re welcome in Japanese. 

5. やったね: Yatta ne

Yatta ne is the warm and spontaneous “you did it!” or “well done”, that you blurt out when you’re proud of someone. Compared to omodetou, which is polite and celebratory, “yatta ne” is more casual, warm, and meant to highlight someone’s accomplishments. So, you would say it after someone achieved something like graduation rather than at weddings or birthdays.

The word やった (yatta) is the past tense of the verb やる (yaru), meaning “to do” or “to accomplish.” When said with excitement, it expresses joy, relief, or triumph, similar to shouting “Yes!” or “Woohoo!” in English. Adding ね (ne) at the end softens it slightly, making it sound friendly and affirming, like “You did it!” or “That’s great, huh!”

テストに合格したの？やったね！
Tesuto ni goukaku shita no? Yatta ne!
You passed the test? That’s awesome!

6. お祝い申し上げます: Oiwa Moushi Agemasu

This is a very formal way of saying congratulations since it uses keigo, or the formal Japanese language. This expression is often reserved for writing in formal letters or emails to someone you want to congratulate. The character 祝 (shuku) or お祝い (oiwai) means celebration or congratulations, and 申し上げます (moushi agemasu) is the keigo conjugation for “to give” or “to offer”.

So, the phrase means “I offer my congratulations”. This expression is common in business writing or formal emails when you want to congratulate a client or even a colleague. 

ご入学にあたり、お祝いの言葉を申し上げます
Gonyuugaku ni atari, oiwai no kotoba o moushiagemasu.
To your enrollment celebration, I offer my congratulations.

7. お幸せに: Oshiawase Ni

The expression closely translates to “wishing you happiness”, more literally “to your happiness”, with the term 幸せ (shiawase) meaning “happiness” and に (ni) meaning “to”. You often say it for weddings or engagements to wish the bride/groom a life of happiness. 

いつまでもお幸せに！
Itsu made mo oshiawase ni!
Wishing you happiness forever!

8. 素晴らしい Subarashii

素晴らしい (subarashii) means “wonderful” or “amazing” and can be used as a congratulatory remark to someone’s incredible achievements. You can use subrashii to express your genuine admiration, delight, or praise for someone who just accomplished something grand or difficult. You can say “subarashii” alone as a heartfelt “congratulations” in response to someone’s success or good news.

すばらしいニュースですね！
Subarashii nyuusu desu ne!
That’s wonderful news!

9. すごい: Sugoi

Sugoi is one of the most versatile words in Japanese, as you can use it to express surprise, excitement, delight, disgust, and, of course, admiration for someone’s achievements. It’s somewhat similar to saying “wow” which can also be used in a wide variety of contexts. So in the context of using “sugoi” to praise someone, it would be similar to saying “that’s amazing” or “that’s awesome”. The expression is warm and casual, giving a feeling of closeness. 

昇進おめでとう！ すごいじゃん！
Shoushin omedetou! Sugoi jan!
“Congrats on the promotion! That’s awesome!”

10. お疲れ様でした: Otsukaresama Deshita

Otsukare sama desu or otsukaresama deshita (past tense) is a staple phrase in the Japanese workplace. Generally, it is used to express your appreciation for your colleague’s hard work and as a way of maintaining good Japanese business manners. However, otsukare sama is actually quite flexible and can even be used to congratulate someone. 

For instance, if you want to congratulate a colleague for their success on a project, you can say otsukaresamadeshita to express your admiration of their hard work. 

発表お疲れ様でした！
Happyou otsukaresama deshita!
Great job on your presentation!

Different Situations for Using Omedetou

There are many ways to say “congratulations” in Japanese, but the phrase omedetou is quite flexible and can be used in a variety of situations. Below are a few common occasions when you can say “omedetou!”

Situation	Japanese Phrase	Romaji	English
Birthday	お誕生日おめでとう	Otanjoubi omedetou	Happy birthday!
New Year	明けましておめでとう	Akemashite omedetou	Happy New Year!
Wedding	ご結婚おめでとうございます	Gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu	Congratulations on your wedding!
Graduation	ご卒業おめでとうございます	Gosotsugyou omedetou gozaimasu	Congrats on your graduation!
New Job	就職おめでとう	Shuushoku omedetou	Congrats for getting a new job!
Passing exam	合格おめでとう	Goukaku omedetou	Congrats on passing!
New Baby	ご出産おめでとうございます	Goshussan omedetou gozaimasu	Congrats on your new baby!

Omedetou for Getting to the End! What to Keep in Mind

おめでとう (omedetou) is one of the most versatile and useful expressions for saying “congratulations” or simply expressing joy for good news in Japanese. However, it’s not the only way to celebrate someone’s success or milestone. Japanese has a rich variety of expressions you can use depending on your relationship with the person and the level of formality you want to convey.

To truly understand when and how to use omedetou and other natural Japanese phrases in real-life conversations, we recommend taking lessons with experienced Japanese teachers who can help you sound confident and natural in everyday situations.

Why not join fun, conversation-focused lessons at Coto Academy? As Tokyo and Yokohama’s No. 1 Japanese language school, Coto Academy specializes in helping students speak Japanese confidently from day one.

Why join Coto Academy?

• Small classrooms with only up to 8 students for personalized support
• Professional native Japanese teachers, all trained to help you succeed
• Over 60 different Japanese classes across 18 levels, tailored to your needs
• A fully online Japanese language school, so you can learn anywhere, anytime!

Ready to start your learning journey?

FAQ

Can I say おめでとう (omedetou) to my boss or teacher?

You should avoid saying just omedetou to people above you in rank or age. Instead, use the more polite form おめでとうございます (omedetou gozaimasu) to show respect.

What’s the difference between おめでとう (omedetou) and お祝い (oiwai)?

Omedetou is what you say directly to someone, like “Congratulations!” Oiwai (お祝い) is a noun meaning “celebration” or “congratulatory gift,” which is usually expressed in writing and is considered very formal.  

Can I use おめでとう (omedetou) casually with friends?

Yes! With close friends or family, you can drop the polite ending and simply say おめでとう(omedetou), or even add emphasis like やったね (yatta ne) or すごいね (sugoi ne)

What should I write on a wedding card in Japanese?

For formal occasions, you should add ございます (gozaimasu) to the phrase. For instance, ご結婚おめでとうございます (gokekkon omedetou gozaimasu), which means “Congratulations on your marriage.”

What’s the meaning of めでたしめでたし (medetashi medetashi)?

It literally means “and they lived happily ever after”, the kind of phrase used to end a story with a positive outcome. You can use it humorously or lightheartedly to wrap up a happy situation, like after solving a problem or completing a big task.