逆Linking sentences
But
Connect two ideas that pull in different directions. が can also just soften a sentence or lead into something new.
Two ways to say “but”
が and けれども
This place is cheap, but the food's bad.
が joins two complete statements. Politeness should match.
Although this place is cheap, the food's bad.
けれども makes the first half a clause leading into the second.
Formality
Same meaning, different levels
| Form | Sounds |
|---|---|
| けれども | Formal |
| けれど | Neutral |
| けど | Casual, very common in speech |
| だが | Firm, mostly written; starts a new sentence |
More than “but”
が can be a soft lead-in
Excuse me, but where's the station?
It softens a question.
About next week's meeting, it's from three.
It just introduces a topic.
Hello, this is Yamada…
Trailing off leaves the rest unsaid and sounds gentle.
Where it goes
It belongs to the first sentence
が sticks to what comes before it, so a comma goes after it, not before. A sentence can't start with this が. To start a new sentence with “but”, use でも, しかし or だけど.
Contrast with は
They often appear together
I like fish, but I don't eat meat.
は on both sides shows the contrast.
But the price is high.
でも starts a new sentence.
Check yourself
What is が doing?
Your turn
が or でも?
I want to go, but I don't have time.
Say it yourself
Honest review
A friend asks about a restaurant you tried. The food was delicious, but it was expensive.
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