JLPT N5 grammar
でも vs が (but) — Meaning & Examples
でも starts a new sentence with strong contrast (more conversational). が connects two clauses within one sentence (softer, more formal). Both mean "but."
But and However — でも and が
でも (demo) — but (at start of sentence)
でも is used at the beginning of a new sentence:
にほんごはむずかしいです。でも、おもしろいです。
— Japanese is difficult. But it is interesting.
すしがすきです。でも、わさびはきらいです。
— I like sushi. But I dislike wasabi.
が (ga) — but (within a sentence)
が can connect two clauses with "but" meaning within one sentence:
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 is interesting.
ほんをかいましたが、まだよんでいません。
— I bought the book, but I haven't read it yet.
でも vs が:
でも = stronger contrast, starts a new sentence, more conversational
が = softer contrast, within one sentence, slightly more formal
けど (kedo) — but (casual):
Similar to が but more casual:
にほんごはむずかしいけど、たのしい。
— Japanese is hard but fun. (casual)
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on でも vs が (but). Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. にほんごはむずかしいですが、おもしろいです (nihongo wa muzukashii desu ga, omoshiroi desu) — what does が mean here?
- Subject marker
- And then
- Because
- But / however
Show answer
Answer: But / however
が within a sentence means "but" — a softer, more formal contrast than でも. 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.
2. にほんごはむずかしいけど、たのしい (nihongo wa muzukashii kedo, tanoshii) — けど is closest in meaning and formality to?
- でも (more casual, starts new sentence)
- ので (because)
- が (similar meaning, more casual)
- とき (when)
Show answer
Answer: が (similar meaning, more casual)
けど (kedo) means "but," similar to が but more casual. にほんごはむずかしいけど、たのしい = Japanese is hard but fun (casual).
Practise でも vs が (but) in the free app
This point is part of the “Connecting Sentences” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N5 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N5 grammar points
From the same lesson: Connecting Sentences
Frequently asked questions
What does でも vs が (but) mean?
でも starts a new sentence with strong contrast (more conversational). が connects two clauses within one sentence (softer, more formal). Both mean "but."
Is でも vs が (but) on the JLPT N5 test?
でも vs が (but) is taught in the JLPT N5 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Connecting Sentences”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise でも vs が (but)?
Open the “Connecting Sentences” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N5 mock exams, with no ads.