Hey, trailblazers! Welcome to Day 46 of our 100-day JLPT N5 challenge – you’re officially past the midpoint, and that’s something to celebrate.
Today, we’re adding しかし (shikashi), meaning “however” or “but,” to your toolkit. This formal conjunction is a beginner’s best friend for sounding sophisticated without complexity.
You’re building real skills; let’s make しかし your new go-to!
Main Lesson: Breaking Down しかし Step by Step
Grammar Rules
しかし (shikashi) expresses strong contrast, like “however,” “but,” or “nevertheless.” It’s formal and versatile, often used in written Japanese, speeches, or polite speech.
Structure:
Place しかし at the beginning of the second clause or sentence to introduce the contrasting idea.
Example:
あめが ふります。しかし、がっこう へ いきます。
(Ame ga furimasu. Shikashi, gakkou e ikimasu.)
– It rains. However, I go to the school.
Key Features:
Always starts the contrasting part – unlike けど (end of first clause).
Vocabulary Lists
Verbs (masu form):
| Japanese (ひらがな) | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| ならいます | naraimasu | learn |
| あそびます | asobimasu | play |
| けします | kesemasu | turn off |
| みせます | misemasu | show |
| やすみます | yasumimasu | rest |
| しらべます | shirabemasu | check |
Adjectives:
| Japanese (ひらがな) | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| げんき | genki | healthy/energetic |
| べんり | benri | convenient |
| ひま | hima | free (time) |
| あぶない | abunai | dangerous |
Nouns:
| Japanese (ひらがな) | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| かぜ | kaze | sick |
| でんき | denki | electricity |
| びじゅつかん | bijutsukan | art museum |
| みち | michi | road |
Examples
わたし は かぜ です。しかし、しごと へ いきます。
(Watashi wa kaze desu. Shikashi, shigoto e ikimasu.)
– I’m sick. However, I go to work.
あそびたい です。しかし、ひま じゃありません。
(Asobitai desu. Shikashi, hima ja arimasen.)
– I want to play. However, I’m not free.
この ほんだな は べんり です。しかし、たかい です。
(Kono hondana wa benri desu. Shikashi, takai desu.)
– This bookshelf is convenient. However, it’s expensive.
びじゅつかんに いきます。しかし、やすみ でした。
(Bijutsukan ni ikimasu. Shikashi, yasumi deshita.)
– I go to the art museum. However, it was closed.
ひま です。しかし、べんきょう は しません。
(Hima desu. Shikashi, benkyou wa shimasen.)
– I have free time. However, I don’t study.
たんご の いみ を しらべます。しかし、わかりません でした。
(Tango no imi wo shirabemasu. Shikashi, wakarimasen deshita.)
– I checked the meaning of the word. However, I didn’t understand.
Conclusion: Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
Way to go on Day 46! You’ve nailed しかし, the formal powerhouse for “however,” adding polish to your contrasts.
Daily practice is your edge – 15 minutes counts. Thrilled with this learn Japanese for beginners series?
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