しかし

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

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.

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

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?

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

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

Learning path for しかし

Use しかし as part of your JLPT N5 reason, contrast, and connector grammar toolkit. Focus on how the two clauses are connected: reason, result, contrast, sequence, or addition. N5 connector grammar becomes easier when you name the relationship before choosing an English translation.

Related grammar to review next

• けど — shows another way to connect ideas through reason, contrast, addition, or sequence.
• けれども — shows another way to connect ideas through reason, contrast, addition, or sequence.
• でも — shows another way to connect ideas through reason, contrast, addition, or sequence.
• そして — shows another way to connect ideas through reason, contrast, addition, or sequence.

Learn しかし with Hane

If you want to review しかし together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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• JLPT N5 grammar lessons