が (but)
ga (but)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
"~, but ~" — joins two contrasting clauses; also a soft introduction ("~, and…").
が between two clauses means "but": 日本語は難しいですが、面白いです "Japanese is difficult, but it's interesting". It joins two sentences into one, and the first clause usually keeps its polite form (ですが／ますが). It is also used as a soft opener: すみませんが… "Excuse me, but...". This が is not the subject particle; it comes after a full clause, not after a noun.
Contrasting two facts, disappointing results (I went but didn't buy anything), and polite lead-ins before a request.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Clause 1 (polite or plain) + が、Clause 2
Visual diagram
- 日本語は難しいですclause 1
- がbut
- 面白いですclause 2 (contrast)
Natural examples
日本語は難しいですが、面白いです。
にほんごは むずかしいですが、おもしろいです。
Japanese is difficult, but it's interesting.
Polite clause + が + polite clause.
昨日デパートへ行きましたが、何も買いませんでした。
きのう デパートへ いきましたが、なにも かいませんでした。
I went to the department store yesterday, but I didn't buy anything.
Past contrast: went but didn't buy.
すみませんが、ペンを貸してください。
すみませんが、ペンを かしてください。
Excuse me, but could you lend me a pen?
Soft opener: すみませんが.
この店は安いですが、あまりおいしくないです。
この みせは やすいですが、あまり おいしくないです。
This shop is cheap, but not very good.
Contrast between two qualities.
田中さんは来ましたが、山田さんは来ませんでした。
たなかさんは きましたが、やまださんは きませんでした。
Mr Tanaka came, but Ms Yamada didn't.
Two topics with は, contrasted with が.
Similar grammar and the difference
The casual equivalent. Compare side by side
でも starts a new sentence; が joins two clauses in one. Compare side by side
After a noun, が is the subject particle; after a clause, it is "but". Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 日本語は難しいです。が、面白いです。
- ✓
- 日本語は難しいですが、面白いです。
- Why
- が joins clauses inside one sentence; to start a new sentence use でも.
- ✗
- 高いですが、買いません。(when there is no contrast)
- ✓
- 高いから、買いません。
- Why
- が means "but". If the second clause follows logically from the first, use から.
- ✗
- 高いが、買います。(in a polite conversation)
- ✓
- 高いですが、買います。
- Why
- In polite speech, keep です／ます before が.
In polite speech both clauses are usually polite (〜ですが、〜です). This が is a conjunction, not the subject particle (#6). Sentence-initial equivalent: でも (#68). けど (#67) is the casual counterpart.
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- If the two clauses contrast (difficult / interesting, went / didn't buy), the connector is が or けど. If the second follows from the first, it is から／ので.
- すみませんが and 失礼ですが are fixed polite openers; expect が after them.
Frequently asked questions
What does が (but) mean?
"~, but ~" — joins two contrasting clauses; also a soft introduction ("~, and…"). が between two clauses means "but": 日本語は難しいですが、面白いです "Japanese is difficult, but it's interesting". It joins two sentences into one, and the first clause usually keeps its polite form (ですが／ますが). It is also used as a soft opener: すみませんが… "Excuse me, but...". This が is not the subject particle; it comes after a full clause, not after a noun.
How do you form が (but)?
Clause 1 (polite or plain) + が、Clause 2. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is が (but) used?
Contrasting two facts, disappointing results (I went but didn't buy anything), and polite lead-ins before a request.
What is the difference between が (but) and けど?
The casual equivalent.
What is the difference between が (but) and でも?
でも starts a new sentence; が joins two clauses in one.
What is a common mistake with が (but)?
Wrong: 日本語は難しいです。が、面白いです。 Right: 日本語は難しいですが、面白いです。 が joins clauses inside one sentence; to start a new sentence use でも.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? 日本語は 難しいです（ ）、面白いです。