だが (daga)

Meaning & usage

だが expresses contrast like however or nevertheless and links two statements where the second limits or opposes the first. In the middle of a sentence it is だ plus が, so it follows nouns and na-adjectives as in 病気だが or 好きだが, while verbs and i-adjectives take が alone without だ. It is common in formal writing, and it can also stand alone at the start of a sentence as だが、 to mean However.

Example sentences 5

1. 悪わるい考かんがえだが、うまくいくかもしれない。

   It's a bad idea, but it might work.

2. この時計を買いたいところだが高すぎる。

   I would buy this watch, except it's too expensive.

3. 行くべきなのだが、私は行かない。

   I ought to go there, but I won't.

4. 私はフランス語が好きだが、じょうずに話せない。

   I like French, but I cannot speak it well.

5. 母は病気だが、いつも明るい。

   My mother is always very cheerful in spite of poor health.