ただし

た

だ

し

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

conjunction

but; however; provided that

usually written using kana alone

Used to add a condition, exception, or limitation to a preceding statement. Often introduces a proviso or caveat.

明日あしたは遠

えん

足そく

に

行い

き

ます

。

ただし

、

雨あめ

が

降ふ

っ

たら

中ちゅう

止し

です

。

We will go on the excursion tomorrow. However, if it rains, it will be cancelled.

この部屋へやは自じ由ゆうに使つかってください。ただし、後あと片かた付づけはしてください。

Please feel free to use this room. Provided that you clean up afterwards.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉。ただし、〈事こと〉used to state a general rule followed by an exception or condition
入にゅう場じょうは無む料りょうです。ただし、飲いん食しょくは禁きん止しです。
Admission is free. However, eating and drinking are prohibited.

Grammar

ただしHowever; provided that; except thatN2

Kanji

但however, but

Related words

しかしN4
しかし is a general contrastive 'but' that can shift the whole direction of a statement, while ただし adds a specific condition or exception to what was just said.
最もっともN4
もっとも softens a preceding statement with a partial concession or afterthought, whereas ただし states a clear, formal proviso or condition.
もっともN3
ただし introduces a condition or exception to a rule, while もっとも introduces a concessive remark that softens or qualifies what was just said.
ただN3
ただし is the standard modern conjunction for 'but, however', whereas ただ used this way sounds slightly more literary or formal.

Don't confuse with

ただN3
ただ is written almost the same and can also mean 'however/only', but ただし specifically marks a formal exception or condition attached to a rule or statement.

Word family

但ただし書がき
proviso; stipulation; condition
但ただし付づき
conditional; with conditions; provisional

Written forms

ただしUsage93%
Usually written in kana. The kanji form 但し is also used, especially in formal writing.
但ただしUsage7%
Kanji form, used in formal or written contexts.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Japanese adjective ただし (tadashi), meaning 'correct' or 'right', which came to be used as a conjunction to introduce a corrective or conditional statement.