Why do JLPT N5 learners confuse しかし with それから?

Both words occupy adjacent semantic territory, which is exactly why the JLPT uses them as distractors for each other on multiple-choice items. The fastest way to stop confusing them is to study them as a pair, write a one-sentence contrast in your own words, and drill the pair specifically rather than each word in isolation.

Is しかし or それから more common on JLPT N5?

Both appear in the JLPT N5 curriculum and either may show up on a given exam. Don't try to predict which one the test will choose — learn to distinguish them and you'll be safe regardless. Both belong to the Pronouns & Expressions theme of N5 vocabulary.

How do I practice this confusion pair?

Free option: visit /try and pick a confusion drill. Paid option: none — JLPT Mastery is free during launch. Whichever route you take, the engine specifically re-tests pairs you've gotten wrong rather than rotating through general vocabulary review.

JLPT N5 · Beginner · Meaning confusion

しかし vs それから

Q: What's the difference between しかし and それから?

しかし (しかし) means "however" and それから (それから) means "and then". Both are conjunctions starting sentences. 'Shikashi' indicates contrast (but), while 'sorekara' indicates sequence (and then), leading to logic errors in narratives.

Why JLPT N5 learners mix up しかし (しかし, “however”) and それから (それから, “and then”).

しかし

however

expression

それから

and then

expression

Theme: Pronouns & ExpressionsJLPT N5

Why these get confused

Both are conjunctions starting sentences. 'Shikashi' indicates contrast (but), while 'sorekara' indicates sequence (and then), leading to logic errors in narratives.

How to tell them apart

Anchor on the meaning, not the form. しかし (however) and それから (and then) live in adjacent semantic territory. Memorize the boundary, not just each word.
Read the example sentences below. Seeing each word in its natural context builds a faster lookup than studying the dictionary form alone.

In a sentence

しかし (however)

日本語は難しいです。しかし、おもしろいです。
行きたいです。しかし、時間がありません。

それから (and then)

朝ごはんを食べます。それから、学校に行きます。
本を読みました。それから、寝ました。

How JLPT tests this pair

On JLPT N5, this pair shows up as a vocabulary meaning question. You see one word and pick its English equivalent from four options — one of which will be the other word in this pair, chosen as a distractor precisely because of the overlap.

Sample item

「しかし」の意味は？

A. however (correct)
B. and then (distractor)
C. (other plausible meaning)
D. (other plausible meaning)

Drill this pair until it sticks

Reading the explanation is step one. Targeted practice is what actually moves a confusion pair out of your weak list. Free, no signup needed to try.

Practice N5 confusion pairs

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Frequently asked

しかし vs それから

Why JLPT N5 learners mix up しかし (しかし, “however”) and それから (それから, “and then”).

しかし

however

expression

それから

and then

expression

Theme: Pronouns & ExpressionsJLPT N5

Why these get confused

Both are conjunctions starting sentences. 'Shikashi' indicates contrast (but), while 'sorekara' indicates sequence (and then), leading to logic errors in narratives.

How to tell them apart

Anchor on the meaning, not the form. しかし (however) and それから (and then) live in adjacent semantic territory. Memorize the boundary, not just each word.
Read the example sentences below. Seeing each word in its natural context builds a faster lookup than studying the dictionary form alone.