GRAMMAR DETAIL

しかし

however · nevertheless

Connects a statement to a contrasting one in a relatively formal manner.

Examples

この道は近道です。しかし、少し暗いです。

This road is a shortcut. However, it is a little dark.

この薬は苦い。しかし、よく効く。

This medicine is bitter. However, it works well.

Structure: しかし is a connector linking a completed statement to the next one.
Basic usage: It accepts the preceding point while presenting a contrasting fact or unexpected result in a relatively formal manner.
- この薬は苦い。しかし、よく効く。 contrasts bitterness with effectiveness.

Not a cancellation of the first statement
- The medicine's effectiveness does not make the preceding statement about bitterness false. The contrast can concern different aspects.
Position compared with が
- In 苦いが、よく効く, が attaches to the preceding clause. しかし is an independent connector, not an ending attached in the same way.
Tone compared with でも
- でも also expresses contrast but often sounds lighter in everyday conversation. しかし suits an explicit logical contrast in writing or an explanation.