When to use the different Japanese words for "but".

[Sarah676]

Hey, so I have a question. I'm currently learning Japanese, and I find myself unsure about the difference between "demo", "kedo" and "ga" (all words for "but"). Does anybody have a simple way to remember which is which, and in what context each word should be used?

Thanks so much for any help you can offer!

[Miya]

I'll try to explain how I use it. But keep in mind that I'm also a student so I might not be correct

でも (demo) - I use "demo" at the beginning of the sentence. For example: 新しいパソコンがほしいです。でもお金がない。(I want a new computer. But I have no money).

が (ga) - This is used like the English "but" which connects two clauses.　Example: 新しいパソコンがほしいですが、おかねがない。(I want a new computer, but I have no money).

けど (kedo) - This is kind of like が (ga) and it can be used interchangeably with が (ga). But I usually use it like a "regrettable" but. Example: 新しいパソコンがほしいですけど、おかねがない。(I want a new computer, but [unfortunately] I have no money).

Another word for but is "しかし” (shikashi). I see it used on Japanese television for emphasis, but it's not really used in speaking.

Hope this helps a bit ^__^

[Sarah676]

Miya, your explanation was definitely helpful. It's interesting what you say about "kedo" being more "regrettable". I'd never consciously thought about it that way but now that I think about the times I've seen it used, that makes a lot of sense. thanks so much for your help!

[Miya]

You're welcome! I'm glad I helped!

[Miya]

Another word for but is "しかし” (shikashi). I see it used on Japanese television for emphasis, but it's not really used in speaking.

I asked my sensei about しかし (shikashi) today. It turns out it can also be used in speaking as a more formal form of でも (demo). It's still more common in writing but when you want to speak formally, you can use しかし (shikashi) instead of でも (demo).

[OddVisions]

I get problems with this too. When in doubt, I just go for what I know. I'll probably be corrected afterwards but I know they'll at least understand what I'm trying to convey. In this case, I'd probably overuse the word 'demo' as the meaning for 'but'.

[xShimusx]

Thanks for that explanation. I always wondered why "kedo" was always followed by a negative or unfortunate statement. And ga was used always a comma. Now it all makes sense.

Man, depending on their mode of speaking and writing I think the Japanese have like 100 meanings for one word. It's a truly complex and beautiful language.

[AExAVF]

I am familiar with the particle ga for but; in fact, we discussed it in our Nihongo classes two weeks ago.  I have also heard of the word demo, but in case of the latter, I hear it more often in movies and some anime shows.  I have yet to encounter shikashi and kedo, but most likely in future Nihongo classes that I will be taking.