JLPT N2Written, formalRules and noticesただ: conversation

ただし・ただhowever; provided that; it's just that

You have stated a rule, an offer or a permission, and ただし adds the condition or the exception that goes with it. It is the "however" of notices and rules. In conversation the softer ただ is commoner: "it's just that…".

an exception

図と書しょ館かんは毎まい日にち開あいています。ただし、年ねん末まつ年ねん始しは休きゅう館かんです。

The library is open every day. However, it is closed over the New Year holidays.

a condition

このデータは自じ由ゆうに利り用ようできます。ただし、出しゅっ典てんを明めい記きすることが条じょう件けんです。

You may use this data freely, provided that you state the source.

ただ, in conversation

私わたしも行いきたいです。ただ、その日ひは仕し事ごとがあるんです。

I'd like to go too. It's just that I have work that day.

How to form it

Statement。ただし、+ a condition or an exception

It opens the new sentence, usually with a comma after it. Contracts and rules often write it 但ただし.

ただ

Statement。ただ、+ the catch

After ただし: When it doesn't apply, who it doesn't cover, or what you have to do: often 〜の場ば合あいは, 〜てください, 〜できません.
Where you'll meet ただし: Signs, notices, rules, contracts, the instructions on a packet.

In use

入にゅう場じょう無む料りょう。ただし、小しょう学がく生せい以い下かは保ほ護ご者しゃ同どう伴はんのこと。

Admission free. However, children of elementary school age and under must be accompanied by a guardian.

A sign. 〜のこと at the end is a written order.

この容よう器きは電でん子しレンジで使つかえます。ただし、加か熱ねつ後ごは非ひ常じょうに熱あつくなるので、やけどに注ちゅう意いしてください。

This container can be used in a microwave. However, it gets extremely hot after heating, so take care not to burn yourself.

On a packet: the warning that goes with the permission.

People say it too, when they set a condition.

ゲームをしてもいいよ。ただし、一いち時じ間かんだけだよ。

You can play your game. But only for an hour.

ただ: "it's just that…"

ただ adds the one catch to what you just said, as a remark, not a rule. Polite talk has it too.

いい店みせですよ。ただ、少すこし高たかいです。

It's a good place. It's just a little expensive.

to a friend

彼かれはいい人ひとだよ。ただ、ちょっと話はなしが長ながいんだよね。

He's a good guy. It's just that he's a bit long-winded.

ただし or なお?

After ただし, what was just said comes with a condition or an exception. After なお, it stands as it was, and you get one more thing to know.

この講こう座ざには誰だれでも参さん加かできます。ただし、前ぜん日じつまでに申もうし込こんでください。

Anyone can join this course. However, please apply by the day before.

A condition: you can join only if you apply in time.

なおN2

A note: who can join is unchanged.

この講こう座ざには誰だれでも参さん加かできます。なお、テキストは当とう日じつお配くばりします。

Anyone can join this course. Please note that the textbook will be handed out on the day.

Not a general "however"

English "however" also sets one thing against another. ただし doesn't: what follows it is a string attached to the sentence before.

Not said: 兄あには背せが高たかい。ただし、弟おとうとは背せが低ひくい。

(My older brother is tall. However, my younger brother is short.)

しかしN5

"However" for a contrast, an objection, or a turn of events.

兄あには背せが高たかい。しかし、弟おとうとは背せが低ひくい。

My older brother is tall. However, my younger brother is short.

Close neighbours

もっともN3

Mostly written: a reservation of your own, as a comment. A request or an order rarely follows.

毎まい朝あさ六ろく時じに起おきています。もっとも、週しゅう末まつは別べつですが。

I get up at six every morning. Weekends are another matter, though.

Check yourself

1You are lending a friend your camera. Which one fits?

貸かしてあげるよ。（　　）、日にち曜よう日びまでに返かえしてね。

Choose an answer to see why.

2Which one fits?

天てん気き予よ報ほうでは晴はれると言いっていた。（　　）、午ご後ごから雨あめが降ふり出だした。

Choose an answer to see why.

More sentences

会かい議ぎ室しつは無む料りょうで利り用ようできます。ただし、飲いん食しょくはできません。

The meeting room can be used free of charge. However, no eating or drinking is allowed.

契けい約やくは自じ動どう的てきに更こう新しんされます。ただし、更こう新しんを希き望ぼうしない場ば合あいは一いっか月げつ前まえまでにご連れん絡らくください。

The contract renews automatically. However, if you do not wish to renew it, please contact us at least one month in advance.

申しん請せいは五ご月がつ三さん十じゅう一いち日にちまで受うけ付つけます。ただし、郵ゆう送そうの場ば合あいは当とう日じつ消けし印いん有ゆう効こうです。

Applications are accepted until May 31. If you apply by mail, however, a postmark of that day is enough.

この製せい品ひんは水みず洗あらいできます。ただし、洗せん浄じょう後ごは十じゅう分ぶんに乾かわかしてください。

This product can be washed in water. However, please dry it thoroughly afterward.