けれども joins two clauses where the second one goes against what the first one leads you to expect: “It’s difficult, but it’s interesting.” It is the full, careful version of the everyday けど, and it has a second job that English “but” doesn’t have: softening a sentence that you leave unfinished on purpose.
けれども → けれど → けど: same meaning, three levels of formality. Choose the length that matches the person you are talking to.
What does けれども mean?
The main meaning is contrast. In 高いけれども、おいしいです, being expensive would normally be a minus, and the second clause adds a plus. English usually translates this as:
- but (It’s expensive, but it’s tasty.)
- although (Although it’s expensive, it’s tasty.)
けれども also has a “background” use where it does not mean “but” at all. When you start a request or a phone call, you give a bit of context and then use けれども as a soft bridge: すみません、ちょっと質問があるんですけれども… (“Excuse me, I have a question…”). Nothing is being contrasted. The けれども simply invites the listener to respond, and it makes the request sound less direct.
The three forms けれども, けれど, and けど all share these meanings. The longer the word, the more polite and careful it sounds.
How to form けれども
けれども attaches to the end of a complete clause, in either plain or polite style.
The key detail is the copula. Nouns and な-adjectives need だ or です before けれども: 学生だけれども, never 学生けれども. い-adjectives and verbs connect directly.
In a very polite sentence, it is common to make the first clause polite too: 行きたいですけれども、時間がありません. Plain-style first clauses (行きたいけれども) are also correct and slightly lighter.
You can also put けれども at the start of a new sentence, like しかし: 練習しました。けれども、上手になりませんでした. This sounds careful and a little written.
When is けれども used?
Use けれども when:
- you speak politely and want a smooth contrast (with a teacher, at work, in a presentation)
- you write something neat, like an email or a short essay
- you open a request, a question, or a phone call politely: もしもし、田中ですけれども…
- you want to trail off to avoid a direct “no”: 明日はちょっと用事があるんですけれども…
With friends, けど is the normal choice. けれども in a casual chat is not wrong, but it can sound stiff, like saying “nevertheless” to your best friend.
けれども example sentences
この本は難しいけれども、おもしろいです。
This book is difficult, but it’s interesting.
行きたいけれども、時間がありません。
I’d like to go, but I don’t have time.
少し高いけれども、買うつもりです。
It’s a bit expensive, but I plan to buy it.
便利だけれども、使い方が難しいです。
It’s convenient, but it’s hard to use.
兄は医者ですけれども、私は学生です。
My older brother is a doctor, but I’m a student.
すみません、お願いがあるんですけれども。
Excuse me, I have a favor to ask.
The last example ends at けれども on purpose. There is no second clause, and the English translation has no “but.” This is the background use: you state the situation and let the listener take over. Japanese speakers do this all the time on the phone, at shop counters, and at the start of requests.
Nuance of けれども
The core nuance is contrast delivered gently. Compared with a hard sentence break (しかし), けれども keeps both ideas in one flowing sentence, so the second part feels less like a rebuttal.
When the sentence stops at けれども, the unsaid part is often obvious and a little awkward to say directly. 明日はちょっと…用事があるんですけれども means “I have plans tomorrow…” and the listener understands “so I can’t come.” Leaving it unsaid is the polite way to refuse.
Also notice that けれども needs a real contrast or a real “background” role. If the second clause is simply the result of the first, you want から or ので instead.
Listening tip: In JLPT dialogues, a sentence that ends in 〜んですけれども or 〜んですけど usually signals that a request or problem is coming next. Pay attention to what follows.
けれども vs けど
These two mean the same thing. The difference is length and formality.
A useful way to remember it: けれども is to けど what “however” is to “but” in speech, although the gap is smaller in Japanese. The middle form けれど sits between the two. For the casual form in detail, see the けど lesson.
Common mistakes with けれども
Is けれども on the JLPT?
Yes. けれども and けど are N5 grammar. They show up in grammar questions, in reading passages, and constantly in listening.
Grammar questions often place けれども, から, and そして side by side. Read both clauses and ask: does the second one go against the first? If yes, けれども. If it follows naturally, から or そして.
Practice questions for けれども
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この店は安いけれども、少し遠いです。 — This shop is cheap, but it’s a bit far.
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日本人ですけれども、すしが好きじゃありません。 — I’m Japanese, but I don’t like sushi.
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すみません、駅に行きたいんですけれども。 — Excuse me, I’m trying to get to the station.
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暑いけど、外で遊ぼう。 — It’s hot, but let’s play outside.
Learning path for けれども
Related grammar to review next
- けど — the casual short form, used in most everyday conversation.
- しかし — a formal “however” that starts a new sentence instead of joining clauses.
- でも — the spoken sentence-starting “but” you’ll use with friends.
- から — the reason connector that learners often confuse with けれども in fill-in questions.
- のに — the N4 “even though,” which adds disappointment on top of contrast.
Learn けれども with Hane
Hane has you build けれども and けど sentences side by side, so you learn which one fits a teacher, a coworker, or a friend. Start learning with Hane.
FAQ about けれども
What does けれども (keredo mo) mean in Japanese?
けれども (keredo mo) means “but or although”. It is JLPT N5 grammar. The main meaning is contrast. In 高いけれども、おいしいです, being expensive would normally be a minus, and the second clause adds a plus. English usually translates this as: - but (It’s expensive, but it’s tasty.) - although (Although it’s expensive, it’s tasty.
How do you form けれども (keredo mo)?
けれども attaches to the end of a complete clause, in either plain or polite style. Verb (plain / ます)+けれども い-adj (+ です)+けれども Noun / な-adj + だ・です+けれども 行くけれども / 行きますけれども · 難しいけれども · 静かだけれども / 静かですけれども The key detail is the copula.
What is the difference between けれども and けど?
けれども: careful · polite · written. けど: casual · everyday speech.
What is an example sentence with けれども (keredo mo)?
この本は難しいけれども、おもしろいです。 — This book is difficult, but it’s interesting.