It is a polite way to introduce a contrasting thought or soften a statement.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to express contrast or opposition between two clauses.
- More formal than 'kedo' but less rigid than 'ga'.
- Can be used at the end of a sentence for softness.
Overview
- 1概要：〜けれどもは、二つの事柄を対比させたり、前置きとして使ったりする表現です。「〜が」よりも丁寧で、書き言葉や少し改まった話し言葉でよく使われます。2) 使用パターン：文の途中で接続詞として使う場合と、文末に置いて「〜ですが」のように文を締めくくる場合があります。名詞やな形容詞に続く場合は「〜だ（な）けれども」の形をとります。3) 一般的な文脈：ビジネスメールやスピーチ、少し丁寧な対話で頻繁に耳にします。「〜けど」という口語形よりも上品な印象を与えます。4) 類語との比較：「が」は最も一般的で簡潔、「けど」はカジュアルで親しい間柄向き、「けれども」はその中間に位置する丁寧な表現です。文末で使うと、相手への配慮を含んだ柔らかいニュアンスになります。
Examples
雨が降っていますけれども、出かけます。
everydayIt is raining, but I am going out.
ご多忙の折とは存じますけれども、ご確認をお願いいたします。
formalI know you are busy, but please check this.
いいけれども、あまり無理はしないでね。
informalIt's fine, but don't overdo it.
本研究は成功したけれども、課題も残っている。
academicThis research was successful, but some issues remain.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
お忙しいところ申し訳ありませんけれども
I am sorry to bother you when you are busy, but...
失礼ですけれども
Excuse me, but...
申し上げにくいのですけれども
It is difficult to say, but...
Often Confused With
Ga is more concise and standard in writing. Keredomo is longer and carries a softer, more conversational tone.
Kedo is strictly informal. Use it with friends, whereas keredomo is safe for almost any polite situation.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use 'keredomo' when you want to sound polite without being overly stiff. It is perfect for bridging the gap between casual speech and formal writing. Be careful not to overuse it in academic papers where 'ga' is preferred for brevity.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often use 'keredomo' after every sentence, which makes speech sound repetitive. Also, avoid using it in very formal written reports where concise conjunctions are better. Remember that it attaches to the plain form of verbs.
Tips
Use for polite softening
When you want to decline an invitation or ask a favor, using 'keredomo' at the end of the sentence makes your tone much softer and more polite.
Avoid in very formal documents
While polite, in extremely formal academic or legal writing, the particle 'ga' is often preferred over the longer 'keredomo'.
The art of indirectness
Japanese culture values indirect communication. Ending sentences with 'keredomo' allows you to leave a statement open-ended, which is seen as considerate.
Word Origin
Derived from the classical Japanese 'keredomo', which combined the concessive particle 'kere' and the particle 'domo'. It has evolved over centuries to become a standard polite conjunction.
Cultural Context
The word reflects the Japanese preference for 'kushin' (cushioning) language. By using 'keredomo', the speaker avoids a blunt, direct confrontation, maintaining social harmony.
Memory Tip
Think of 'keredomo' as 'Kere' (care) + 'domo' (though). It shows you 'care' enough to soften the contrast with 'though'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions「けど」は非常にカジュアルな口語で、友人同士で使われます。「けれども」はそれよりも丁寧で、ビジネスや少し改まった場面に適しています。
はい、可能です。「すみませんが、〜」の代わりに「すみませんけれども、〜」とすると、より丁寧で柔らかい印象を与えます。
名詞やな形容詞の場合は「〜だ」を挟んで「〜だけれども」とするのが一般的です。い形容詞の場合はそのまま「〜いけれども」と続けます。
はい、レポートやメールなど、少し丁寧な書き言葉として適しています。論文などの非常に硬い文章では「が」が好まれることもあります。
Test Yourself
明日は忙しい___、少しだけなら会えます。
前後の文が逆説の関係にあるため、接続詞の「けれども」が適切です。
「〜したいけど、お金がない」を丁寧にするなら？
「けれども」を使い、文末を「〜ありません」とすることで丁寧な表現になります。
（天気は / 悪い / けれども / 楽しい / です）
「天気は悪い」という事実と「楽しい」という感情を「けれども」でつなぐのが自然です。
Score: /3
Summary
It is a polite way to introduce a contrasting thought or soften a statement.
- Used to express contrast or opposition between two clauses.
- More formal than 'kedo' but less rigid than 'ga'.
- Can be used at the end of a sentence for softness.
Use for polite softening
When you want to decline an invitation or ask a favor, using 'keredomo' at the end of the sentence makes your tone much softer and more polite.
Avoid in very formal documents
While polite, in extremely formal academic or legal writing, the particle 'ga' is often preferred over the longer 'keredomo'.
The art of indirectness
Japanese culture values indirect communication. Ending sentences with 'keredomo' allows you to leave a statement open-ended, which is seen as considerate.
Examples
4 of 4雨が降っていますけれども、出かけます。
It is raining, but I am going out.
ご多忙の折とは存じますけれども、ご確認をお願いいたします。
I know you are busy, but please check this.
いいけれども、あまり無理はしないでね。
It's fine, but don't overdo it.
本研究は成功したけれども、課題も残っている。
This research was successful, but some issues remain.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More family words
還暦
B160th birthday (celebration of completing a 60-year cycle).
〜くらい
B1About; approximately; to the extent that.
認め合う
B1To recognize each other's worth; to acknowledge.
知人
B1Acquaintance.
顔見知り
A2Acquaintance; someone you know by sight.
活発な
B1Active; lively; vigorous.
甘える
B1To be spoiled, to fawn; to behave like a pampered child.
思春期
B1Adolescence; the period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
養子
B1Adopted child; a child taken into one's family by legal means.
養親
B2Adoptive parent.
