でも
But: used to start a sentence
You’ll be able to begin a new sentence with “but” to counter what was just said.
海の水は冷たいです。でも、泳ぎます。
umi no mizu wa tsumetai desu. demo, oyogimasu.
What do you think this sentence means?
The seawater is cold. But I’m going swimming.
Start a new sentence with “but”
Use でも at the beginning of a new sentence to contrast it with what was just said. It is common in conversation.
今日は雨です。でも、出かけます。
kyou wa ame desu. demo, dekakemasu.
It is raining today. But I am going out.
Sentence. でも, sentence
Finish the first sentence, then start the contrasting sentence with でも.
この本は難しいです。でも、面白いです。
kono hon wa muzukashii desu. demo, omoshiroi desu.
This book is difficult. But it is interesting.
駅は遠いです。でも、歩きます。
eki wa tooi desu. demo, arukimasu.
The station is far. But I will walk.
行きたいです。でも、時間がありません。
ikitai desu. demo, jikan ga arimasen.
I want to go. But I do not have time.
～が vs でも
Both mark a contrast. が joins two clauses inside one sentence; でも starts a new sentence and looks back at the last one.
でも, new sentence
駅は遠いです。でも、歩きます。
eki wa tooi desu. demo, arukimasu.
The station is far. But I will walk.
The first sentence is finished before でも begins.
が, one sentence
駅は遠いですが、歩きます。
eki wa tooi desu ga, arukimasu.
The station is far, but I will walk.
One sentence, joined in the middle.
今日は雨です。でも、スーパーへ行きます。
kyou wa ame desu. demo, suupaa e ikimasu.
It is raining today. But I am going to the supermarket.
この店は近いです。でも、あまり行きません。
kono mise wa chikai desu. demo, amari ikimasen.
This store is nearby. But I do not go there often.
明日はテストです。でも、今夜は少しテレビを見ます。
ashita wa tesuto desu. demo, kon'ya wa sukoshi terebi o mimasu.
I have a test tomorrow. But I will watch a little TV tonight.
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