In Japanese communication, there are several adversative expressions that are used to say the opposite of what has already been said. Learn various adversative expressions and be able to use them in actual Japanese conversations.
1. However
"But" is an adversative conjunction that connects sentences. "But"is used when you want to say the opposite of the previous sentence. "But"can be used in both conversation and writing. Compared to other adversative expressions, this expression has a stronger subjective view of the speaker.
Example sentences
I eat rice for breakfast, but my wife eats bread.
Watashi wa asa, gohan wo tabemasu. Tsuma wa pan wo tabemasu.
I eat breakfast in the morning. But my wife eats bread.
Example sentences
Sake goes well with Japanese food, but it also goes well with French cuisine.
Nihonshu wa washoku ni au. Shikashi, furenchi ni mo au.
Sake goes well with Japanese food. But it also goes well with French food.
Example sentences
I have a headache, but I have to go to work.
Atama ga itai. Shikashi, kaisha ni ikanakereba naranai.
My head hurts. But I have to go to the company.
Example sentences
I arranged to meet her on a date, but she didn't show up.
Kanojo to dēto no machiawase wo shita. Shikashi, kanojo wa konakatta.
I met up with her for a date. But she didn't come.
2. But (daga)
"But (daga)" is an adversative conjunction that connects a sentence to the previous one, just like "shikashi." "But (daga)" is often used in sentences, but it can also be used in conversation. When "but (daga)" is used in conversation, it is mainly used by men.
Example sentences
Sake goes well with Japanese food, but not with Chinese food.
Nihonshu wa washoku ni au. Daga, chūka ni wa awanai
Sake goes well with Japanese food. But it doesn't go with Chinese food.
Example sentences
It was forecast to rain, so I took an umbrella with me when I left home, but it didn't rain at all.
Ame no yohō datta node kasa wo motte ie wo deta. Daga, mattaku furanakatta.
The weather forecast said it was going to rain, so I left home with an umbrella. But it didn't rain at all.
Example sentences
We lost the game, but we did our best.
Watashitachi wa shiai ni maketa. Daga watashitachi wa besuto wo tsukushita.
We lost the game. But we did our best.
Example sentences
I overslept, but I wasn't late.
Nebō shita. Daga chikoku wa shinakatta.
I overslept. But I wasn't late.
3. But (also) (dakedo(mo))
"But (dakedo)" is also a conjunction that connects sentences and is used when stating the opposite of the previous sentence. It is a softer way of saying it than "but (shikashi)" or "but (daga)". It can also be said as "but (dakedomo)".
Example sentences
I love you, but I can't marry you.
Boku wa kimi wo aishi teiru. Dakedo kimi to wa kekkon dekinai.
I love you. But I can't marry you.
Example sentences
He is kind, but he is very scary when he gets angry.
Kare wa yasashī. Dakedo okoru to totemo kowai.
He is kind. But when he gets angry, I'm very scared.
Example sentences
This restaurant is popular, but I don't really like it.
Kono resutoran wa ninki ga aru. Dakedo watashi wa amari sukide wa nai.
This restaurant is popular. But I don't like it very much.
4. But (demo)
"Demo" is a conjunction that connects sentences and is used to affirm what was said before while stating the opposite of what was said before. Like "dakedo," "demo" is an expression used in casual situations.
Example sentences
He studied hard, but he failed the exam.
Kare wa isshōkenmei benkyō shita. Demo shiken ni gōkaku dekinakatta.
He studied hard. But he couldn't pass the exam.
Example sentences
I want to quit my job, but I can't because I need to make money.
Shigoto wo yametai. Demo okane wo kasegu tame ni wa yamerarenai.
I want to quit the job. But I can't quit to make money.
Example sentences
My husband had an affair, but I forgave him.
Otto ga furin wo shita. Demo watashi wa yurushita.
My husband had an affair. But I forgave him.
5. Noni
"Noni" is used when saying the opposite of what is expected from the previous statement. It contains the speaker's subjective feelings.
Example sentences
He's already 30, but he acts like a child.
Kare wa mō 30-sai nanoni, yaru koto ga kodomo mitaida.
He's 30 years old, but he's like a kid.
Example sentences
I was looking forward to the trip, but I couldn't go because of some sudden work.
Ryokō wo tanoshimi ni shite ita no ni, kyūna shigoto de ikenakatta.
I was looking forward to the trip, but I couldn't go because of a sudden job.
Example sentences
Although he is kind and has a lot of money, he has a hard time finding a girlfriend.
Kare wa yasashikute okane mo takusan motte iru no ni, nakanaka koibito ga dekinai.
He is kind and has a lot of money, but he can't find a girlfriend.
Example sentences
Even though I studied abroad in the US, I can't speak English at all.
Amerika ni ryūgaku shite ita no ni, eigo ga mattaku hanasenai.
I was studying abroad in the United States, but I can't speak English at all.
There are many ways to express contradictions in Japanese. If you are interested in how to express contradictions in Japanese, why not study Japanese more and become able to use a variety of Japanese expressions?
Experience practical Japanese language lessons with experienced teachers online for free Human Academy Japanese Language Learning Plus Then Free Membership Registration You can start studying Japanese right away!