Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 10: 11/12

けれども
But, Although

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb + けれども
[い]Adjective + けれども
[な]Adjective + + けれども
Noun + + けれども
Verb (Polite) + けれども
[い]Adjective + です + けれども
[な]Adjective + です + けれども
Noun + です + けれども
Details
Part of Speech Particle
Word Type Conjunctive Particle
Register Formal
品詞 助詞
単語の種類 接続助詞
使用域 硬い
Information
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)10キロ走(はし)っけれども、疲(つか)れていません
    I ran 10km, but I am not tired.
  • 温泉(おんせん)熱(あつ)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)綺麗(きれい)けれども、怖(こわ)です
    That person is beautiful, but scary.
  • これゲームけれども、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, 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 - - Formal
  • このパソコン古(ふる)けども、便利(べんり)
    This computer is old, but useful.
  • 薬(くすり)飲(の)んけれどまだ頭(あたま)痛(いた)
    I took medicine, but my head still hurts.
  • 走(はし)のは疲(つか)れけれども、楽(たの)しです
    Running is tiring, but it is fun.
  • 田舎(いなか)静(しず)か、やる事(こと)無(な)い。
    The countryside is quiet, but there is nothing to do.
Fun Fact
Originally, けれども was thought to be a more feminine version of . However, the modern けど is so common that it has lost all of the feminine nuance that came from けれども.
Caution
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.
  • もう晩(ばん)ご飯(はん)食(た)べけれども
    I already ate dinner, but… (There's always room for dessert!)
Slow Male
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私(わたし)この本(ほん)好(す)きではないけれどもあなた好(す)きでしょう
I don’t like this book, but you do, don’t you?
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トム言(い)ったけれども、トム忘(わす)れました
I told that to Tom, but he forgot.
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掃除(そうじ)したけれどもまだ汚(きたな)い
I cleaned, but it is still dirty.
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Japanese For Beginners
Books
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 187