JLPT N5 Grammar: ですが (desu ga) — Polite “But”

JLPT N5 Grammar: ですが (desu ga)

The polite conjunction — “but / however / though” (connecting sentences politely)

JLPTジェイエルピーティー N5エヌゴ文法ぶんぽうですが解説かいせつ (逆接ぎゃくせつ・前置ぜんちき)

⏱️ Study time: 4–6 minutes

ですが (desu ga) is the polite way to say "but" in Japanese. It connects two sentences where the second contrasts with the first, or it softens a statement. It is the polite version of だが / だけど, and one of the most common connectors in daily conversation.

🚀 JLPT N5 Warm-up Quiz

Q: How do you say “It is difficult, but interesting” politely?

Answer: B (難むずかしいですが、面白おもしろいです). ですが connects the two sentences politely. A is two separate sentences (no connection). C uses けど (casual) — okay in casual speech but not as polite as ですが.

Quick Summary

Grammar Point
ですが

Meaning
but / however (polite)

Pattern
Sentence 1 + ですが、Sentence 2

Example
日本語にほんごは難むずかしいですが、面白おもしろいです。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.
Japanese is difficult, but it's interesting.

📝 Core Patterns

Contrast (A but B): Sentence 1 + ですが、Sentence 2

Softening / preliminary remark: すみませんですが、〜 (Excuse me, but ~)

Casual equivalent: だけど / けど (used with plain forms)

⚠️ が here means "but", not the subject particle. It's a conjunction that follows the polite form です.

🧠 Review the です copula? See です (desu) →

💡 Toggle furigana, hiragana, or romaji for easier reading.

What is ですが?

ですが is the polite conjunction meaning "but" or "however". It attaches to the end of a sentence that ends with です (or ます), and is followed by a second sentence that contrasts or adds unexpected information. It's the most common polite connector for contrasting ideas.

Follows です / ます forms: 難むずかしいです + が = 難むずかしいですが (it's difficult, but…).
Can also be used as a softener before a request: すみませんですが、〜 (Excuse me, but ~).
Casual form: だけど / けど (used with plain/dictionary forms).

天気てんきはいいですが、風かぜが強つよいです。てんきはいいですが、かぜがつよいです。Tenki wa ii desu ga, kaze ga tsuyoi desu.
The weather is good, but the wind is strong.

⚡ How to Use ですが

Pattern	Meaning	Example
A ですが、B	A, but B (contrast)	日本語にほんごは難むずかしいですが、楽たのしいです。 Japanese is difficult, but it's fun.
すみませんですが、〜	Excuse me, but ~ (softening)	すみませんですが、駅えきはどこですか。 Excuse me, but where is the station?
A でしたが、B	A was, but B (past contrast)	昨日きのうは休やすみでしたが、忙いそがしかったです。 Yesterday was a holiday, but I was busy.

Examples & Mini Dialogue

この店みせは高たかいですが、美味おいしいです。このみせはたかいですが、おいしいです。Kono mise wa takai desu ga, oishii desu.
This restaurant is expensive, but it's delicious.

✅ Classic AですがB contrast.

すみませんですが、名前なまえを教おしえてください。すみませんですが、なまえをおしえてください。Sumimasen desu ga, namae o oshiete kudasai.
Excuse me, but could you tell me your name?

🗣️ Mini Dialogue
A: 明日あした時間じかんがありますか。あしたじかんがありますか。Ashita jikan ga arimasu ka.
B: はい、ありますが、午後ごごだけです。はい、ありますが、ごごだけです。Hai, arimasu ga, gogo dake desu.

⚡ ですが vs けど / しかし

Word	Politeness	Position	Example
ですが	Polite	Attaches to です/ます	難むずかしいですが、〜
けど / だけど	Casual	Attaches to plain forms	難むずかしいけど、〜
しかし	Formal / written	Starts a new sentence	〜です。しかし、〜

💡 N5 focus: ですが is your go‑to polite connector. しかし is more formal and starts a new sentence (like "However,…"). けど is casual and common in conversation but less appropriate in formal writing.

Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

✕ 難むずかしいです。ですが面白おもしろいです。 (Using ですが at the start of a new sentence.)

✓ 難むずかしいですが、面白おもしろいです。 (ですが must attach to the first sentence, not start a new one.)

✕ 難むずかしいだが、〜 (Mixing plain form with です.)

✓ 難むずかしいですが、〜 (Use です with が for politeness.)

✕ Forgetting the comma before が — 難むずかしいですが面白おもしろいです。

✓ 難むずかしいですが、面白おもしろいです。 (A comma after が makes the sentence clearer, though not strictly required.)

JLPT N5 Practice Questions

Score: 0 / 3

1. “It is expensive, but it's good.” Choose the correct polite connector.

2. Which sentence uses ですが correctly?

3. ですが is the polite version of ________.

🎯 JLPT N5 tip: ですが is tested in the reading and grammar sections, often alongside から (because) and ので (so). Don't confuse が (but) with the subject particle が. If it follows です/ます, it's the conjunction "but".

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About the Instructor

Taught by Anup Sensei at Gogaku Language & Training Center in Pokhara. With real Japan experience and a focus on exam essentials, he helps students pass the JLPT with confidence.

⚡ Vocabulary Used in This Lesson

Japanese	Reading	Type	English Meaning
難むずかしい	むずかしい	i‑adjective	difficult
面白おもしろい	おもしろい	i‑adjective	interesting
天気てんき	てんき	Noun	weather
風かぜ	かぜ	Noun	wind
強つよい	つよい	i‑adjective	strong
店みせ	みせ	Noun	shop, restaurant
高たかい	たかい	i‑adjective	expensive

Related Grammar

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between ですが and けど?

ですが is the polite form and attaches to です/ます. けど is casual and attaches to plain forms. In polite conversation, use ですが; with friends, けど is fine.

Can ですが start a new sentence?

No. ですが must attach to the first sentence. If you want to start a new sentence with "However", use しかし (shikashi).

Is ですが always followed by a comma?

A comma (、) is commonly used after が to separate the clauses, but it's not a strict grammar rule. In writing, it helps readability.

Continue Learning

Next: から (kara) — giving reasons with "because".

Learn から →

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