JLPT N5Written, formal

しかしhowever

しかし starts a new sentence with "however". It belongs to writing and to speeches. In everyday conversation the word is でも.

この町まちは交こう通つうが便べん利りです。しかし、家や賃ちんは高たかいです。

This town has convenient transportation. However, the rent is high.

How to form it

Sentence。しかし、+ new sentence

It comes first in the new sentence, usually with a comma after it.

Before it: A finished sentence, polite or plain.
After it: The other side: a drawback, a limit, something that goes against what was just said.
Tone: Measured and a little stiff, like "however".
Where you'll meet it: Essays, reports, news, textbooks, novels. Out loud, in speeches, presentations and debates.

In use

午ご前ぜん中ちゅうは晴はれていました。しかし、午ご後ごから雨あめが降ふりました。

It was sunny in the morning. However, it rained from the afternoon onward.

この薬くすりはよく効ききます。しかし、眠ねむくなることがあります。

This medicine works well. However, it can make you sleepy.

日本にほんは小ちいさい国くにだ。しかし、人じん口こうは多おおい。

Japan is a small country. However, it has a large population.

Two things to know

With friends it sounds like a speech

Across a table しかし sounds as if you were arguing a case. People say でも.

Sounds odd: この店みせ、おいしいね。しかし、ちょっと高たかいね。

This place is good, isn't it? However, it is a little expensive.

To a friend: でも、ちょっと高たかいね.

It can't join two halves of a sentence

English "but" and "however" can sit in the middle of a sentence. しかし only starts a new one.

その店みせの料りょう理りはおいしいです。しかし、駅えきから遠とおいです。

The food at that restaurant is good. However, it is far from the station.

Two sentences. しかし starts the second.

その店みせの料りょう理りはおいしいですが、駅えきから遠とおいです。

The food at that restaurant is good, but it is far from the station.

One sentence. が ends the first half.

Not said: その店みせの料りょう理りはおいしいしかし、駅えきから遠とおいです。

(The food at that restaurant is good, but it is far from the station.)

Close neighbours

でもN5

The same turn in everyday conversation.

家や賃ちんは安やすいよ。でも、駅えきから遠とおいよ。

The rent is low. But it is far from the station.

が・けどN5

"But" inside one sentence. けど is the relaxed one.

家や賃ちんは安やすいけど、駅えきから遠とおい。

The rent is low, but it is far from the station.

それでもN4

"Even so". The first fact is an obstacle, and the second holds in spite of it.

外そとは大おお雪ゆきだった。それでも、店みせは営えい業ぎょうを続つづけた。

There was heavy snow outside. Even so, the shop stayed open.

ところがN3

"But then". What happened is not what anyone expected. しかし needs no surprise.

外そとは大おお雪ゆきだった。ところが、店てん内ないは客きゃくでいっぱいだった。

There was heavy snow outside. But as it turned out, the shop was packed with customers.

Check yourself

1Which one is right?

Choose an answer to see why.

2You are texting a friend about a film. Which sounds natural?

Choose an answer to see why.

More detail

しかし、暑あついですね

In conversation しかし sometimes opens a remark when nothing came before it. There it isn't "however". It puts feeling into the remark, like "really".

しかし、今日きょうは暑あついですね。

It really is hot today, isn't it?

More sentences

彼かれは何なん度ども失しっ敗ぱいしました。しかし、研けん究きゅうを続つづけました。

He failed many times. However, he continued his research.

計けい画かくは簡かん単たんに見みえます。しかし、実じっ行こうするには時じ間かんが必ひつ要ようです。

The plan looks simple. However, carrying it out will take time.

新あたらしい制せい度どは手て続つづきが簡かん単たんです。しかし、利り用ようできる人ひとは限かぎられています。

The new system has a simple application process. However, eligibility is limited.

Compared with similar forms

Ways to say "but"