but; however; although (けど) – Japanese Grammar けど (kedo)

Q: What JLPT level is けど?

JLPT N5 — Beginner · Basic sentence structures

Q: How do you use けど in a sentence?

Attach けど to the appropriate verb or noun form. But; however; although

Q: Is けど formal or casual Japanese?

けど can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

けど

N5 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

kedo

but; however; although

ので node 一番 ichiban だけ dake の中で[A]が一番 no naka de [A] ga ichiban なあ naa てはいけない te wa ikenai のが好き no ga suki ませんか masen ka んです ndesu しかし shikashi ちゃいけない・じゃいけない cha ikenai / ja ikenai は〜より・・・です wa ~yori... desu てもいいです temo ii desu なくてはならない nakute wa naranai たり〜たり tari~tari てある te aru 一緒に issho ni か ka ほうがいい hou ga ii じゃない・ではない janai / dewa nai ので node 一番 ichiban だけ dake の中で[A]が一番 no naka de [A] ga ichiban なあ naa てはいけない te wa ikenai のが好き no ga suki ませんか masen ka んです ndesu しかし shikashi ちゃいけない・じゃいけない cha ikenai / ja ikenai は〜より・・・です wa ~yori... desu てもいいです temo ii desu なくてはならない nakute wa naranai たり〜たり tari~tari てある te aru 一緒に issho ni か ka ほうがいい hou ga ii じゃない・ではない janai / dewa nai

🃏 Flashcard

けど

kedo

Tap to reveal usage

but; however; although

Tap to test your recall · +10 XP

📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N5

Beginner · Basic sentence structures

Reading kedo

Post ID 50626

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

but; however; although

📖 How to use it

けど is a conjunction meaning 'but' or 'although', used to contrast two clauses.

Attaches to Attaches to the end of a clause in its plain form (dictionary form for verbs and adjectives, noun + だ, な-adjective + だ). In polite speech, it attaches to the polite form (e.g., ます-form, です).

けど is a very common conjunction that connects two sentences or clauses, showing contrast or unexpected result. It is used in both speaking and writing, but it's especially frequent in casual conversation. When the second clause is omitted, けど can imply hesitation or a request, like 'but...' in English.

Unlike some other contrastive conjunctions, けど can attach to both casual and polite forms, making it versatile. It is not as formal as が, which is more common in written language or formal speech.

Make sure you use the correct form of the verb or adjective before けど. For verbs, use the plain form (e.g., 食べるけど). For い-adjectives, use the plain form (e.g., 高いけど). For nouns and な-adjectives, use the copula だ (e.g., 先生だけど). In polite speech, use です/ます before けど.

日本語は難しいけど、面白いです。

Nihongo wa muzukashii kedo, omoshiroi desu.

Japanese is difficult, but it's interesting.

明日は忙しいけど、午後は暇です。

Ashita wa isogashii kedo, gogo wa hima desu.

I'm busy tomorrow, but I'm free in the afternoon.

食べたいけど、お金がない。

Tabetai kedo, okane ga nai.

I want to eat, but I have no money.

Not がが is also used for 'but', but it sounds more formal and is often used in writing. In conversation, けど is more natural. For example, in a formal email, use が; with friends, use けど.

Register けど is neutral, used in both casual and polite conversation, but it is more colloquial than が, which is preferred in formal writing.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

けど

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat けど three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using けど. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N5 Patterns

← Previous

方

the way of doing something; how to do

けれども

but; however; although

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern けど mean? ▼

But; however; although

What JLPT level is けど? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N5 — Beginner · Basic sentence structures. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use けど in a sentence? ▼

Attach けど (kedo) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is けど formal or casual Japanese? ▼

けど is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember けど long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.