しかし: but; however

しかし means but; however. It is a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar pattern used to connect contrasting ideas, often in writing or formal speech.

This grammar point appears often in beginner conversations, classroom Japanese, and JLPT-style questions. If you want to connect contrasting ideas, often in writing or formal speech, しかし is a useful pattern to learn because it helps you build natural basic sentences.

What does しかし mean?

Use しかし when you want to connect contrasting ideas, often in writing or formal speech.

Natural translations include:

• but
• however
• but; however

The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on the role of the grammar point in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.

How to form しかし

Sentence. + しかし + sentence.

Examples of the pattern:

• しかし、行きません
• しかし、高いです
• しかし、問題があります

Pay attention to the word form before and after the pattern. Many beginner mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.

When is しかし used?

Use しかし in situations like:

• formal contrast
• essays and explanations
• changing direction in a statement

Tone and register:

• formal or written compared with でも
• Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and beginner JLPT questions

しかし example sentences

• 行きたいです。しかし、時間がありません。 — I want to go. However, I do not have time.
• この本は高いです。しかし、とても役に立ちます。 — This book is expensive. However, it is very useful.
• 雨が降っています。しかし、試合はあります。 — It is raining. However, the game will happen.
• 日本語は難しいです。しかし、面白いです。 — Japanese is difficult. However, it is interesting.
• 彼は若いです。しかし、経験があります。 — He is young. However, he has experience.

Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: question, contrast, reason, time limit, suggestion, negation, comparison, or obligation.

Nuance of しかし

The key nuance is a clear contrast with a somewhat formal sound.

This matters because beginner Japanese often uses small words and endings to show meaning that English expresses with word order or helper verbs. For しかし, the sentence can change a lot depending on placement and context.

For example:

• In conversation, it helps the listener understand a clear contrast with a somewhat formal sound.
• Compared with でも, it has a different job even when the English translation looks close.

しかし vs でも

Both しかし and でも can express related ideas, but they are different.

しかし:

• more formal or written
• often starts a contrasting sentence

でも:

• more casual and conversational
• common in daily speech

Quick contrast examples:

• 行きたいです。しかし、時間がありません。— I want to go. However, I have no time.
• 行きたいです。でも、時間がありません。— I want to go, but I have no time.

If you are unsure which one to use, ask what the sentence is trying to do: ask a question, connect ideas, show a reason, mark time, make an invitation, compare two things, or express obligation.

Common mistakes with しかし

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Overusing it in casual conversation
• Putting it where no real contrast exists
• Confusing it with そして, which adds information

A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel.

Is しかし on the JLPT?

Yes. しかし is commonly taught as JLPT N5 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.

Practice questions for しかし

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Connect “I want to go” and “I have no time.”
• Say Japanese is difficult but interesting.
• Use しかし in a formal contrast.

Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.

Learn しかし with Kanjiru

If you want to review しかし together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N5 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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• JLPT N5 grammar lessons