しかしながら

し

か

し

な

が

ら

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

adverb, conjunction

however; nevertheless

usually written using kana alone

Formal or written conjunctive adverb; stronger and more emphatic than しかし. Often used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a contrasting statement.

彼

かれ

は

努ど

力りょく

し

た

。

しかし

ながら

、

結けっ

果か

は

思おも

わしく

なかっ

た

。

He made an effort. However, the result was not satisfactory.

この計けい画かくには多おおくの利り点てんがある。しかしながら、実じっ行こうには慎しん重ちょうさが求もとめられる。

This plan has many advantages. Nevertheless, careful execution is required.

Kanji

然sort of thing, so, if so
乍though, notwithstanding, while
併join, get together, unite

Related words

しかしN4
しかしながら is a more formal and emphatic way of saying 'however,' often used in speeches or formal writing, while しかし is the everyday, neutral term for 'but.'
だがN3
だが is a casual or literary 'but' common in narrative writing, whereas しかしながら is more formal and rarely used in casual conversation.
けれどN4
けれども is a softer, more conversational way to express contrast, while しかしながら carries a formal, emphatic tone suited to speeches or written prose.

Written forms

Applies to each form listed below

rarely-used kanji form

然しかし乍ながら
Rare kanji form; not commonly used.
併しかし乍ながら
Rare kanji form; not commonly used.

Etymology

Derived from しかし (however) with the emphatic suffix ながら, which adds a sense of 'while' or 'although'. The combination yields a stronger contrastive meaning.