けれども is the more formal (full version) of the conjunction particle
けど. Like
けど, it usually carries the meaning of 'but', but because of its formality, sounds a bit more like 'although', or 'provided that'. It simply highlights that 'while thinking about (A), (B)'. Meaning that the (B) phrase is important, or needs to be considered.
私(わたし)は10キロ走(はし)ったけれども、疲(つか)れていません。
I ran 10km, but I am not tired.
温泉(おんせん)は熱(あつ)いけれども、気持(きも)ちいいです。
Onsens are hot, but they feel good.
あの人(ひと)は綺麗(きれい)だけれども、怖(こわ)いです。
That person is beautiful, but scary.
これはゲームだけれども、面白(おもしろ)くないです。
This is a game, but it is not fun.
As can be seen from these examples,
だ will be required when using this conjunction after a
な-Adjective, or a noun.
As a reminder, please see below for a list of the most casual form of 'but', to the most formal.
Casual -
けど -
けども -
けれど -
けれども -
が - Formal
このパソコンは古(ふる)いけども、便利(べんり)だ。
This computer is old, but useful.
薬(くすり)を飲(の)んだけれど、まだ頭(あたま)が痛(いた)い。
I took medicine, but my head still hurts.
走(はし)るのは疲(つか)れるけれども、楽(たの)しいです。
Running is tiring, but it is fun.
田舎(いなか)は静(しず)かだが、やる事(こと)が無(な)い。
The countryside is quiet, but there is nothing to do.
Originally, けれども was thought to be a more feminine version of が. However, the modern けど is so common that it has lost all of the feminine nuance that came from けれども.
As with
けど (and other forms of 'but' in Japanese), the phrase after
けれども will often be omitted if it is obvious, or the speaker does not want to say it.