but (within one sentence)

Ga joins two clauses with a contrast, like English but. It attaches to the end of the first clause, which is usually in polite form in polite speech. It is also used as a soft opener with no real contrast, as in sumimasen ga.

Examples

• 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。

  Nihongo wa muzukashii desu ga, omoshiroi desu.

  Japanese is difficult, but it is interesting.

• すみませんが、もう一度いちどお願ねがいします。

  Sumimasen ga, mou ichido onegai shimasu.

  Excuse me, but could you say that once more?

Vocabulary in these examples

• 日本語 Japanese language
• 難しい difficult
• 面白い interesting; funny
• もう already; more
• する to do

Related patterns · Connectors

• 〜から（理由） because, so (reason)
• そして and, and then (starting a new sentence)
• それから after that; and also
• でも but, however (starting a new sentence)