Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 1: 11/18

だがBut, Still, However, Nevertheless

Structure

だが + Phrase

Details

  • Register

    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.

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

Related

Examples

--:--

    大統領(だいとうりょう)が言(い)いました。ですが、私(わたし)は信(しん)じません。

    The president said that. However, I don't believe it.

    毎日(まいにち)運動(うんどう)をしました。ですが、痩(や)せていません。

    I exercised everyday. However, I haven't lost any weight.

    本当(ほんとう)は私(わたし)がしなくてはならない。だがね、君(きみ)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(きほん)ルールだ。だが、例外(れいがい)もある。

    This is a basic rule. However, there are also exceptions.

    明日(あした)から、旅行(りょこう)に行(い)きます。ですが、まだチケットを買(か)っていません。

    I am going on a trip tomorrow. However, I still haven't bought my ticket.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

だが・ですが – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (18 in total)

  • Yumari-1

    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

    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

    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.

Got questions about だが・ですが? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion