Japanese でも and しかし for contrast

The idea

でも connects a new sentence to a contrasting idea: 安やすいです。でも、買かいません means “It is cheap. But I will not buy it.” しかし also introduces contrast, but sounds more formal and is common in writing or prepared speech.

Examples

• 今日きょうは寒さむいです。でも、天気てんきがいいです。It is cold today. But the weather is good.
• この店みせは小ちいさいです。でも、料理りょうりはおいしいです。This shop is small. But the food is delicious.
• 勉強べんきょうしました。しかし、テストは難むずかしかったです。I studied. However, the test was difficult.
• そのかばんは安やすいです。でも、買かいません。That bag is cheap. But I will not buy it.
• 駅えきは近ちかいです。しかし、バスで行いきます。The station is nearby. However, I will go by bus.
• あの本ほんは長ながいです。でも、面白おもしろいです。That book is long. But it is interesting.

Watch out

Do not confuse contrast with cause: ですから means “so/because,” while でも can signal an unexpected difference. Keep the politeness of each sentence consistent.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct answer: 安やすいです。＿、買かいません。（でも／ですから）

   Show answer or example answer

   でも

   でも — でも connects a new sentence to a contrasting idea: 安やすいです。でも、買かいません means “It is cheap. But I will not buy it.”

2. Choose the correct answer: 書かくとき：「雨あめです。＿、出でかけます。」（しかし／それから）

   Show answer or example answer

   しかし

   しかし — しかし also introduces contrast, but sounds more formal and is common in writing or prepared speech.

3. Choose the correct answer: 長ながいです。＿、面白おもしろいです。（でも／ですから）

   Show answer or example answer

   でも

   でも — Do not confuse contrast with cause: ですから means “so/because,” while でも can signal an unexpected difference. Keep the politeness of each sentence consistent.

Use it today

Write two new Japanese sentences using this pattern, then explain your choices and compare them with the examples.