although; but (ことは～が) – Japanese Grammar ことは～が (koto wa~ga)

Q: What JLPT level is ことは～が?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use ことは～が in a sentence?

Attach ことは～が to the appropriate verb or noun form. Although; but

Q: Is ことは～が formal or casual Japanese?

ことは～が can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

ことは～が

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

koto wa~ga

although; but

っけ kke たとたん ta totan ふと futo たものだ ta mono da にかけて ni kakete まるで maru de ようとする you to suru ような気がする you na ki ga suru もしも〜たら moshimo~tara ようがない you ga nai あまりにも amari ni mo に関する ni kan suru 切れない kirenai に慣れる ni nareru よりも yorimo も～ば～も mo~ba~mo なかなか nakanaka につれて ni tsurete ずにはいられない zuni wa irarenai だらけ darake っけ kke たとたん ta totan ふと futo たものだ ta mono da にかけて ni kakete まるで maru de ようとする you to suru ような気がする you na ki ga suru もしも〜たら moshimo~tara ようがない you ga nai あまりにも amari ni mo に関する ni kan suru 切れない kirenai に慣れる ni nareru よりも yorimo も～ば～も mo~ba~mo なかなか nakanaka につれて ni tsurete ずにはいられない zuni wa irarenai だらけ darake

🃏 Flashcard

ことは～が

koto wa~ga

Tap to reveal usage

although; but

Tap to test your recall · +10 XP

📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading koto wa~ga

Post ID 50864

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

although; but

📖 How to use it

Expresses concession, meaning 'although' or 'but', by framing a positive quality and then introducing a negative contrasting point.

Attaches to Attach to a verb or adjective in its plain past form (e.g., 食べた、行った、高かった) or to a な-adjective/noun followed by であった/だった. The construction is: [plain past + ことは + plain past + が]. The first part often uses a positive verb/adjective, the second part the negative counterpart or a contrasting statement.

This pattern literally means 'the fact that... is (true), but...'. You state that something is indeed the case, then follow with a 'but' to show a limitation or a contrasting feeling. It's a softer, more nuanced way to say 'although' compared to けど or が alone. The repeated verb or adjective makes it emphatic: you acknowledge the positive, then give the negative side.

Use this when you want to sound thoughtful or slightly formal. For example, you might say that a dish is tasty, but expensive. The pattern often pairs an affirmative with its negative form, like 安いことは安いが (it's cheap, but...) or 好きなことは好きだが (I do like it, but...). The second part carries the real message.

In conversation, this pattern is not as common as けど, but it's a natural, polished way to concede a point. It's useful for JLPT N3 reading and listening, and for writing semi-formal emails or opinions.

このレストランは高いことは高いが、料理がとても美味しい。

Kono resutoran wa takai koto wa takai ga, ryouri ga totemo oishii.

This restaurant is expensive, it's true, but the food is very delicious.

日本語ができたことはできたが、まだあまり上手じゃない。

Nihongo ga dekita koto wa dekita ga, mada amari jouzu ja nai.

I can speak Japanese, I can, but I'm still not very good at it.

旅行に行きたかったことは行きたかったが、今は時間がない。

Ryokou ni ikitakatta koto wa ikitakatta ga, ima wa jikan ga nai.

I did want to travel, but right now I don't have time.

Not 〜ものの Both mean 'although', but ことは～が repeats the same verb or adjective, emphasizing the concession, while ものの simply attaches to the plain past form and is more formal/written. For example, 行ったものの is 'though I went', but 行ったことは行ったが means 'I did go, but...' with a stronger sense of admission.

Register This pattern is moderately formal and appears more in written language or careful speech; in casual conversation, people often use けど or が alone.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

ことは～が

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat ことは～が three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using ことは～が. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns

← Previous

ことはない

there is no need to; no possibility that~

くらい・ぐらい

approximately; about; to the extent

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern ことは～が mean? ▼

Although; but

What JLPT level is ことは～が? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use ことは～が in a sentence? ▼

Attach ことは～が (koto wa~ga) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is ことは～が formal or casual Japanese? ▼

ことは～が is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember ことは～が long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.