Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
‘But’ or ‘However’ (Conjunction)
🎯 Primary Function
To connect two sentences where the second sentence provides contrasting information to the first.
📋 Grammar Structure
Sentence 1 (Verb/Noun). Demo, Sentence 2.
Sentence 1 (I-adj). Demo, Sentence 2.
Sentence 1 (Na-adj). Demo, Sentence 2.
Sentence 1 (Negative). Demo, Sentence 2.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Used in polite conversation, but avoid in highly formal writing or speeches.
Informal Situations
Extremely common in daily casual conversation with friends and family.
Written Language
Used in emails and casual writing; ‘Shikashi’ is preferred for formal essays.
Spoken Language
The primary way to start a sentence with ‘but’ in spoken Japanese.
💡 Common Applications
Starting a new sentence with a contrast
Used to introduce a fact or opinion that contradicts or contrasts with what was just said in the previous sentence.
Example: 外は雨です。でも、出かけます。(It is raining outside. But, I am going out.)
Conversational shifts
Commonly used in spoken Japanese to gently introduce a counter-argument or a downside.
Example: それはいいですね。でも、少し高いです。(That’s nice. But, it’s a bit expensive.)
Frequency
Very High – One of the most common ways to express contrast in daily life.
Difficulty
JLPT N5 (Basic)
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
日本語は難しいです。でも、楽しいです。
Furigana: にほんごはむずかしいです。でも、たのしいです。
Romaji: Nihongo wa muzukashii desu. Demo, tanoshii desu.
English: Japanese is difficult, but it’s fun.
Example #2
パーティーに行きたいです。でも、宿題があります。
Furigana: パーティーにいたいです。でも、しゅくだいがあります。
Romaji: Paatii ni ikitai desu. Demo, shukudai ga arimasu.
English: I want to go to the party, but I have homework.
Example #3
りんごは好きです。でも、バナナは好きじゃないです。
Furigana: りんごはすきです。でも、バナナはすきじゃないです。
Romaji: Ringo wa suki desu. Demo, banana wa suki janai desu.
English: I like apples, but I don’t like bananas.
Example #4
高いです。でも、買いたいです。
Furigana: たかいです。でも、かいたいです。
Romaji: Takai desu. Demo, kaitai desu.
English: It’s expensive, but I want to buy it.
Example #5
彼は親切です。でも、時々厳しいです。
Furigana: かれはしんせつです。でも、ときどききびしいです。
Romaji: Kare wa shinsetsu desu. Demo, tokidoki kibishii desu.
English: He is kind, but he is sometimes strict.
Example #6
たくさん勉強しました。でも、テストは難しかったです。
Furigana: たくさんべんきょうしました。でも、テストはむずかしかったです。
Romaji: Takusan benkyou shimashita. Demo, tesuto wa muzukashikatta desu.
English: I studied a lot, but the test was difficult.
Example #7
早く起きました。でも、電車に遅れました。
Furigana: はやくおきました。でも、でんしゃにおくれました。
Romaji: Hayaku okimashita. Demo, densha ni okuremashita.
English: I woke up early, but I was late for the train.
Example #8
料理はおいしそうです。でも、お腹がいっぱいです。
Furigana: りょうりはおいしそうです。でも、おなかがいっぱいです。
Romaji: Ryouri wa oishisou desu. Demo, onaka ga ippai desu.
English: The food looks delicious, but I am full.
Example #9
冬は好きです。でも、寒いのは嫌いです。
Furigana: ふゆはすきです。でも、さむいのはきらいです。
Romaji: Fuyu wa suki desu. Demo, samui no wa kirai desu.
English: I like winter, but I hate the cold.
Example #10
謝りました。でも、彼女は許してくれませんでした。
Furigana: あやまりました。でも、かのじょはゆるしてくれませんでした。
Romaji: Ayamarimashita. Demo, kanojo wa yurushite kuremasen deshita.
English: I apologized, but she didn’t forgive me.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Demo vs. Shikashi
While ‘Demo’ is perfect for speaking, ‘Shikashi’ (しかし) is the formal written equivalent.
Example: しかし、雨が降り始めました。(Shikashi, ame ga furihajimemashita.)
Placement and Punctuation
It is almost always followed by a comma in writing and a short pause in speaking.
Example: 明日休みです。でも、仕事があります。(Ashita yasumi desu. Demo, shigoto ga arimasu.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ おいしいです、でも高いです。(Oishii desu, demo takai desu.)
✅ おいしいですが、高いです。(Oishii desu ga, takai desu.)
‘Demo’ is used at the start of a sentence, not as a mid-sentence connector. Use ‘ga’ or ‘keredo’ to join clauses.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Standard polite to casual. It is acceptable in ‘Desu/Masu’ style.
Social Situations: Useful for expressing hesitation or differing opinions without being overly aggressive.
Regional Variations: Standard across Japan, though some regions might use ‘dakedo’ or ‘batte’ in dialects.
🔍 Subtle Differences
Demo vs. Keredo (けど)
‘Demo’ starts a sentence. ‘Keredo’ usually joins two clauses in one sentence.
When to use: Use ‘Demo’ when you want to emphasize the contrast by pausing between sentences.
Demo vs. Shikashi (しかし)
‘Demo’ is conversational; ‘Shikashi’ is formal/literary.
When to use: Use ‘Demo’ with friends; use ‘Shikashi’ in reports.
📝 Conjugation Notes
‘Demo’ does not conjugate. It is a standalone conjunction.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The ‘e’ is short, like ‘egg’. The ‘o’ is short, like ‘open’. Ensure you don’t elongate the vowels.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘Demo’ as a ‘demon’ that blocks the flow and switches the direction of the conversation! It always starts a fresh sentence to show a change in direction.
Other Grammar
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