Japanese Contrast Connectors: How to Say 'However' and 'On the Other Hand'
Learn intermediate Japanese contrast connectors like しかし, でも, 一方で, and それに対して to link opposing ideas naturally in conversation and writing.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you speak or write Japanese at an intermediate level, you often need to contrast two ideas: one fact versus another, or one opinion versus a different one. Japanese has several connectors for this, and choosing the right one depends on formality, whether you are speaking or writing, and whether you are contrasting facts or opinions. This lesson focuses only on contrast connectors: words like しかし, でも, 一方で, and それに対して. You will learn what each means, when to use it, and how to avoid common mistakes. By the end, you will be able to link opposing ideas smoothly in both casual conversation and formal writing.
By the end, you can…
- use しかし and でも to contrast two sentences in formal and casual speech.
- use 一方で to present a contrasting fact or situation.
- use それに対して to contrast two different opinions or reactions.
- choose the right contrast connector based on formality and context.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
しかし、彼は来なかった。
However, he did not come.
Shikashi, kare wa konakatta.
Formal and written. Used at the start of a sentence to contrast with the previous statement. Common in news, essays, and business writing.
でも、時間がないんだ。
But, I don't have time.
Demo, jikan ga nai n da.
Casual spoken Japanese. Used at the beginning of a sentence. Very common in everyday conversation, but avoid it in formal writing.
日本の夏は暑い。一方で、冬はとても寒い。
Summer in Japan is hot. On the other hand, winter is very cold.
Nihon no natsu wa atsui. Ippō de, fuyu wa totemo samui.
Used to contrast two facts or situations about the same topic. Neutral in formality; common in both speech and writing.
兄は静かだ。それに対して、弟はよく話す。
My older brother is quiet. In contrast, my younger brother talks a lot.
Ani wa shizuka da. Sore ni taishite, otōto wa yoku hanasu.
Used to contrast two people or things directly. Slightly formal; common in explanations and written descriptions.
雨が降っている。だが、試合は続く。
It is raining. However, the game continues.
Ame ga futte iru. Daga, shiai wa tsuzuku.
Formal and somewhat dramatic. Similar to しかし but often used in written narratives or speeches. Less common in casual conversation.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Contrast connectors typically appear at the beginning of a sentence and are followed by a comma. For example: しかし、雨が降っている。でも、出かける。 (However, it is raining. But, I will go out.) The connector links the new sentence to the previous one, showing a contrast. In more formal writing, you can also use 一方で after a noun phrase: 日本の夏は暑い。一方で、冬は寒い。 (Summer in Japan is hot. On the other hand, winter is cold.) Note that 一方で can also mean 'while' or 'meanwhile', but in this lesson we focus on its contrast use. Another pattern is それに対して, which literally means 'against that' and is used to contrast two different things or opinions: 兄は静かだ。それに対して、弟はよく話す。 (My older brother is quiet. In contrast, my younger brother talks a lot.)
When to use it
Choose your connector based on formality and whether you are contrasting facts or opinions. In casual conversation, use でも: 今日は忙しい。でも、明日は暇だ。 (I'm busy today. But, I'm free tomorrow.) In formal writing or speeches, use しかし or だが: 計画は完璧だった。しかし、実行は難しかった。 (The plan was perfect. However, execution was difficult.) Use 一方で when contrasting two aspects of the same topic, often in explanations: この車は速い。一方で、燃費は悪い。 (This car is fast. On the other hand, its fuel efficiency is bad.) Use それに対して when contrasting two different people, things, or opinions: 彼は賛成だ。それに対して、私は反対だ。 (He agrees. In contrast, I disagree.) Avoid using でも in formal writing; it sounds too casual.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
新しいプロジェクトはどう？
How is the new project?Atarashii purojekuto wa dō?予算は十分だ。しかし、時間が足りない。
The budget is sufficient. However, there is not enough time.Yosan wa jūbun da. Shikashi, jikan ga tarinai.でも、来月までに終わらせないといけないよ。
But, we have to finish it by next month.Demo, raigetsu made ni owarasenai to ikenai yo.わかっている。一方で、品質も落とせない。
I know. On the other hand, we cannot lower quality either.Wakatte iru. Ippō de, hinshitsu mo otosenai.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese, the choice of contrast connector reflects social context. Using でも in a business email or formal report can sound unprofessional, while しかし in casual chat may feel stiff. When speaking with superiors, prefer しかし or ですが (a polite form of でも). In written Japanese, しかし and 一方で are common, but だが is often used in novels and newspaper editorials. Also, Japanese often avoids direct disagreement; それに対して can sound confrontational if used too bluntly. Softening with 少し違うかもしれませんが (it might be a little different, but) before a contrast can maintain harmony.
One thing to watch for
Using でも in formal writing, such as a business report or academic essay.
Try this instead: In formal writing, replace でも with しかし or だが. For example, instead of でも、問題がある。 write しかし、問題がある。 (However, there is a problem.) でも is acceptable in casual conversation but sounds out of place in formal contexts.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Choose the most appropriate contrast connector for a formal essay: しかし, でも, or それに対して?
Show a sample answer
しかし
しかし is formal and suitable for essays. でも is too casual, and それに対して is used for contrasting two different things, not as a general 'however'.
2Fill in the blank with the correct contrast connector: 日本の夏は暑い。____、冬は寒い。 (Summer in Japan is hot. On the other hand, winter is cold.)
Show a sample answer
一方で
一方で is used to contrast two aspects of the same topic, such as summer and winter in Japan. でも could work in casual speech, but 一方で is more precise for this factual contrast.
3Translate into Japanese using a contrast connector: 'My sister likes sports. In contrast, I like reading.'
Show a sample answer
姉はスポーツが好きだ。それに対して、私は読書が好きだ。
それに対して is used to contrast two different people's preferences. 一方で could also be used, but それに対して emphasizes the direct contrast between two subjects.
Use でも in casual speech, しかし or だが in formal writing, 一方で for contrasting facts about the same topic, and それに対して for contrasting different people or opinions. Match the connector to the formality of the situation.
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