conjunction
Formal or literary conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement. Often found in written Japanese or formal speech.
努力した。しかるに、結果は伴わなかった。
I made an effort. However, the results did not follow.
彼は有能だ
He is capable. And yet, his promotion was passed over.
しかし is the standard everyday 'but' or 'however'. しかるに is more formal and literary, often used in writing or formal speeches.
だが is a plain, often masculine 'but' used in casual or written contexts. しかるに is more formal and less conversational.
けれども is a softer, more polite 'but' or 'although'. しかるに is stiffer and more emphatic in contrast.
Derived from the classical Japanese しかる (sika-ru, 'to be so') + に (ni, particle). Literally 'in being so', it developed into a contrastive conjunction.