Structure
だが + Phrase
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Formal
About だが・ですが
While だが (or ですが as a polite equivalent) are classified as their own words, they are actually just combinations of だ, or です, and が. だが is usually used as a formal way of saying 'but', or 'nevertheless'. Due to this, we can see that だ is being used to 'determine' that a statement is true, while が simply shows that there is other important information to follow.
In this way, だが is very similar to the expression 'that may be, but…' in English. だが may be used at the beginning of any phrase, or between sentences.
Caution
When using ですが, it will automatically mean that the rest of the sentence should also use polite speech.
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美容室に行ったのですが、高かったので帰りました。I went to the hair salon, but since it was expensive, I came home.
To make だが sound a little bit softer, sometimes ね is added. However, this is not so common in modern-day Japanese, and is more limited to the older generation.
Fun Fact
Due to だが and ですが using が (the formal equivalent of けど), this phrase can sound quite stiff. Therefore, it is far more common to hear でも at the beginning of a sentence in casual speech.
Synonyms
Examples
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大統領が言いました。ですが、私は信じません。
The president said that. However, I don't believe it.
毎日運動をしました。ですが、痩せていません。
I exercised everyday. However, I haven't lost any weight.
本当は私がしなくてはならない。だがね、君にしてほしい。
Really, it is I who has to do it. However, I want you to do it.
これが基本ルールだ。だが、例外もある。
This is a basic rule. However, there are also exceptions.
明日から、旅行に行きます。ですが、まだチケットを買っていません。
I am going on a trip tomorrow. However, I still haven't bought my ticket.
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だが, ですが
NihongoMaster
How often is だが used in everyday conversation?
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Tobira
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だが・ですが – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (18 in total)
Yumari-1
Aaand here I’m chiming in to see that the exact thing I wanted to write was already here. Sorry for the thread necro, but I really think that it’s confusing the way the lesson states it’s just an old relic, but you suddenly have to write it down in response to this one:
本当は私がしなくてはならない。だがね、君にしてほしい。If the lesson traches you だが／ですが, then why require a different form? Should we use it or not after all? And in what circumstances if so?
Liras348
I’ve answered with ですが and Bunpro tells me “Can you try a grammar point that is often used in books?”. How was I supposed to know that だが is often used in books and ですが isn’t? The grammar point doesn’t mention this fact.
pimlu
I might just be missing something obvious but what’s wrong about this answer? I seem to get all the contrastive cards wrong repeatedly.
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