You studied really hard for your Japanese test, but still got a tricky question wrong.
Or maybe someone invited you to karaoke, but you were too shy to sing.

In English, you’d use “but” or “although”, and in Japanese, that’s けど (kedo)!
It’s one of the most common ways to connect two contrasting ideas, like “It’s difficult, but fun.”

You’ll hear けど all the time in daily conversation, it sounds casual and friendly, perfect for chatting with friends.
If you want to sound a bit more polite, you can use けれども (keredomo) instead. It means the same thing but feels softer and more formal.

Once you can use these expressions naturally, you’ll be able to describe situations, express contrast, and keep your conversations flowing smoothly.
It’s a simple grammar point, but mastering it will really open the door to more natural Japanese!

Shall we begin?

が (ga) vs けど / けれども (kedo / keredomo)
All three can mean “but / although”, but they differ in tone and usage.

が is more formal and often used in written language or polite conversation.

日本語はむずかしいが、楽しい。
にほんご は むずかしい が、たのしい。
nihongo ha muzukashii ga, tanoshii.
Japanese is difficult, but fun.

けど is casual and most common in everyday speech.

日本語はむずかしいけど、おもしろいです。
にほんご は むずかしい けど、おもしろい です。
nihongo ha muzukashii kedo, omoshiroi desu.
Japanese is difficult, but interesting.

けれども is the polite version, often used in semi-formal situations like talking to your boss or teacher.

日本語はむずかしいけれども、がんばります。
にほんご は むずかしい けれども、がんばります。
nihongo ha muzukashii keredomo, ganbarimasu.
Japanese is difficult, but I’ll do my best.

今日は寒いけど、外で運動したいです。
きょう は さむい けど、そと で うんどう したい です。
kyou ha samui kedo, soto de undou shitai desu.
It’s cold today, but I want to exercise outside.

寝坊したけど、授業に間に合った。
ねぼう した けど、じゅぎょう に まにあった。
nebou shita kedo, jugyou ni maniaatta.
I overslept, but I made it to class on time.

仕事は大変だけれども、やりがいがあります。
しごと は たいへん だけれども、やりがい が あります。
shigoto ha taihen dakedomo, yarigai ga arimasu.
Work is tough, but it’s rewarding.

私の母は厳しいけれども、愛情が深い人です。
わたし の はは は きびしい けれども、あいじょう が ふかい ひと です。
watashi no haha ha kibishii keredomo, aijou ga fukai hito desu.
My mother is strict, but she’s a very loving person.

<Conversation Example>
A: 悪いけど明日のカラオケ、キャンセルさせて。風邪ひいて喉が痛いんだ。
わるい けど あした の からおけ、きゃんせる させて。かぜ ひいて のど が いたい ん だ。
warui kedo ashita no karaoke, kyanseru sasete. kaze hiite nodo ga itai n da.
Sorry, but I need to cancel karaoke tomorrow. I caught a cold and my throat hurts.

B: 本当だ、声が枯れているね。お大事にね！
ほんとう だ、こえ が かれている ね。おだいじ に ね！
hontou da, koe ga kareteiru ne. odaiji ni ne!
You’re right, your voice sounds hoarse. Take care of yourself!

• Grammar Point: けど / けれども (kedo / keredomo)
  
• JLPT Level: N5
• Meaning: But, although, however
• Quick Explanation: けど and けれども are used to connect two contrasting ideas, like saying “but” or “although” in English.
  
  
  

So that’s how we use けど and けれども!
They’re small words, but mastering them will make your Japanese sound so much more natural, you’ll be able to explain situations smoothly and have longer conversations with ease!

新しい単語を覚えるのは大変だけど、楽しいですね！
あたらしい たんご を おぼえる の は たいへん だけど、たのしい です ね！
atarashii tango wo oboeru no ha taihen da kedo, tanoshii desu ne!
Learning new vocabulary is hard, but it’s fun, isn’t it?

Now it’s your turn! Try making your own sentences with けど or けれども, and see how much more natural your Japanese sounds!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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