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.
Fun fact: けれども was originally considered a more feminine version of が. But nowadays, けど is so common that all the feminine nuance is pretty much gone.
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, you know.
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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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.
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