~が (but/contrast)

I've tried every diet written in the books, but my weight hasn't dropped at all.

I tried to cheer her up, but she just kept crying.

She said goodbye with a smile, but inside she was in terrible pain.

She kept saying she was a college student, but no matter how I tried, I just couldn't bring myself to believe it.

After thinking about it from various angles — and this is just my personal view — I think the value of a gift changes depending on how much feeling is put into it.

It's hard to choose what's right and what's wrong, but you have to choose.

Daikan (Greater Cold): it's the day of the year when the cold is most severe — and yet you could also say that spring is fast approaching.

Good words are worth much and cost little.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help overhearing you.

The Democratic Party hasn't chosen its candidate yet, but either way they're bound to lose.

I tried commuting by bicycle, but in the end it didn't suit me.

I can put up with a messy house, but I hate a dirty one.

I wish I were as clever as you.

I felt the house shake a little — did you?

You say I should know him well, but actually I was only just introduced to him last week.

Mother told me to come home early, but I ended up being late.

She wasn't beautiful, but she had big, gentle brown eyes and a lovely smile.

I want to ask her out on a date, but I just don't have the courage.

She'll wait day after day, but he probably won't come back.

She looks like his older sister, but she's actually his mother.

She said he was sick in bed, but it wasn't true.

She tried to go get her hair cut, but her mother wouldn't let her.

She looks like she could be a farm wife.

She's from the south. I could tell from the accent in her speech.

She looks shy, but she actually has a strong will.

She completed the swim in a total of 19 hours and 55 minutes, which was 10 hours shorter than the previous record.

Though it wasn't much, she gave the boy all the coins in her purse.

Though she was just a child, she was brave.

Though she was a child, she wasn't afraid.

She didn't enjoy washing dishes, but she put up with it and did them.