But: dakedo, kedo, and shikashi

teklisTue, 21 Dec 2010 01:39:23 -0600
So I had a question about the difference between: dakedo, kedo, and shikashi. They all mean but or however, and I was a little fuzzy on the usage of the three. I know kedo is the plain form of ga in ‘desu ga’. Dakedo seemed straight forward to me in that it was just the plain form of desu: da + informal ga: kedo. But I found ‘dakedo’ in several dictionaries along with kedo, and I became a little unsure of the difference (if there is one).

I understand that ‘kedo’ and ‘ga’ are both used to soften a sentence, or a dependant clause, but Im not too sure of the differences in usages between the three (if there even is a difference between dakedo and kedo).

Any explanation and/or examples would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan
Pascal PTue, 28 Dec 2010 21:18:32 -0600
I'll try and help.
1. Shikashi is use primarily in formal situations or in writing.

2. Kedo is short for keredomo. You can use it where ga could be used.
Eg.Kono kooto wa yasui desu ga shitsu ga warui.>Kono koto wa yasui desu kedo, shitsu ga warui desu.(This coat is cheap, but its quality is bad)

3. Dakedo is a contraction of dakeredomo, meaning "though/however". It's a more colloquial version of "desu kedo"
Eg. Oishii dakedo, amari kenkou ja nai. (It's delicious, however it's not very healthy)


I think that's the difference. If I'm incorrect, someone please correct me.
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