GRAMMAR
が②
preface
Explanation
NOTE
が can also be used as a soft preface before making a request, asking a question, or introducing a topic. In this usage, it does not express contrast — instead, it softens what comes next and makes it more polite.
NOTE
This is very common in polite speech. You often hear すみませんが (excuse me, but...) or ちょっと聞きたいんですが (I would like to ask something, but...). The clause after が is the main point.
STRUCTURE
V丁
が、...すみませんが、駅はどこですか。
Sumimasen ga, eki wa doko desu ka.
Excuse me, where is the station?
聞きたいんですが、この電車は東京に行きますか。
Kikitain desu ga, kono densha wa Toukyou ni ikimasu ka.
I would like to ask — does this train go to Tokyo?
お願いがあるんですが、手伝ってくれますか。
Onegai ga arun desu ga, tetsudatte kuremasu ka.
I have a favor to ask — could you help me?
Example sentences
すみませんが、もう一度お願いします。
Excuse me, but could you please do it one more time?
このペンを使いたいんですが、いいですか。
I'd like to use this pen, is that okay?
明、休みなんですが、一緒に映画を見に行きませんか。
Tomorrow is my day off, would you like to go see a movie together?
Practice exercises
1
寒いですねが失礼ですが、お名前を教えてください。
It's cold, but I'm sorry, could you please tell me your name?
Answer
が
2
すみませんが、駅はどこですか。
Excuse me, but where is the station?
Answer
が
3
聞きたいんですが、これはいくらですか。
I'd like to ask, but how much is this?
Answer
が
4
お願いがあるんですが、手伝ってください。
I have a favor to ask, but please help me.
Answer
が
5
すみませんが、トイレはどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Answer
が
6
聞きたいんですが、この電車は東京に行きますか。
I would like to ask -- does this train go to Tokyo?
Answer
が
7
お願いがあるんですが、手伝ってくれますか。
I have a favor to ask -- could you help me?
Answer
が
8
寒いですねが失礼ですが、お名前を教えてください。
It's cold, but I'm sorry, could you please tell me your name?
Answer
が
9
お願いがあるんですが、教えてください。
I have a favor to ask -- please teach me.
Answer
が