How to Say ‘Yes, but…’ in Japanese
はい、でも…
hai de mo
[high deh moh]
💬 Usage Tip: Nice soft setup before explaining the problem. The […] pause is natural in spoken Japanese.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Pausing after [でも…] signals you’re about to explain—common on the phone when you’re thinking while speaking.
Phrase Breakdown
はい
hai
[high]
yes
はい acknowledges the question politely before giving additional information (good when talking to your landlord).
はい、でもお湯が出ません。
Yes, but hot water doesn’t come out.
でも
de mo
but / however
Conjunction meaning “but.” With “…”, it implies there’s more to explain: “Yes, but…”
行きたいけど、でも時間がありません。
I want to go, but I don't have time.
Words in this phrase
で
de
[deh]
but; however (part of でも)
で (with も) creates でも = “but…”. It signals you’re about to explain the problem remains.
はい、でも給湯器が動きません。
Yes, but the water heater isn’t working.
も
mo
[moh]
also; even (part of でも)
も completes でも. In conversation, trailing off with … can sound cautious/polite when you’re not sure what to say next.
はい、でも直りません…。
Yes, but it doesn’t get fixed…
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