Formal or literary conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement. Often found in written Japanese or formal speech.
I made an effort. However, the results did not follow.
He is capable. And yet, his promotion was passed over.
Rare kanji form; the kana spelling is strongly preferred.
Rare kanji form; the kana spelling is strongly preferred.
From classical 然る, the attributive form of 然り “to be so,” followed by the particle に. The construction developed into a conjunction meaning “that being so” and then “however.”