§ けれど: A Common Conjunction
You're learning Japanese, and you're going to encounter けれど a lot. It's a useful conjunction that basically means "but," "however," or "although." Think of it as a way to connect two clauses where the second clause presents a contrast, a qualification, or even a reason for the first.
While it's often translated simply as "but," けれど can carry a bit more nuance. It can soften a statement or introduce a hesitation. Let's dive into some practical examples of how it's used in different situations.
§ けれど at Work
In a professional setting, けれど is very common. It allows you to express a differing opinion or introduce a problem politely. You'll hear it in meetings, during discussions with colleagues, or when making a report.
- Use Case
- Introducing a counter-argument or a point of concern.
この企画は素晴らしいと思います。けれど、予算が少し心配です。
Hint: "I think this project is great. However, I'm a little worried about the budget."
- Use Case
- Explaining a delay or an issue.
資料は作成しました。けれど、まだ確認が必要です。
Hint: "I've prepared the materials. But, I still need to check them."
§ けれど at School
In a school environment, けれど is used by students and teachers alike. You might hear it in class discussions, when asking for clarification, or when explaining a situation to a friend.
- Use Case
- Expressing difficulty or a misunderstanding.
この問題は簡単だと思った。けれど、解けなかった。
Hint: "I thought this problem was easy. But, I couldn't solve it."
- Use Case
- Giving an excuse (sometimes a polite one).
昨日は勉強した。けれど、テストは悪かった。
Hint: "I studied yesterday. But, I did badly on the test."
§ けれど in the News and Media
When you're consuming Japanese news, watching TV, or listening to podcasts, you'll hear けれど used to present different sides of an argument or to introduce information that contrasts with what was just said. It helps create a balanced perspective.
- Use Case
- Presenting contrasting facts or opinions.
経済は回復傾向にある。けれど、物価上昇が懸念されている。
Hint: "The economy is showing signs of recovery. However, rising prices are a concern."
- Use Case
- Introducing a different viewpoint in an interview or report.
多くの人が賛成している。けれど、反対意見も根強い。
Hint: "Many people agree. However, opposing views are also strong."
§ Key Takeaways for けれど
Here's a quick summary of what you need to remember about けれど:
- It's a versatile conjunction for "but," "however," "although."
- It's used across formal and informal settings.
- It can soften a contrasting statement or introduce a qualification.
- Listen for it in daily conversations, news, and business settings to get a feel for its nuances.
Keep practicing, and you'll master けれど in no time. It's a fundamental word that will significantly improve your ability to express complex thoughts in Japanese.
Exemplos por nível
これはいいです、けれど高いです。
This is good, but it's expensive.
日本語を話します、けれどまだ上手じゃありません。
I speak Japanese, however I'm not good at it yet.
雨が降っています、けれど傘がありません。
It's raining, but I don't have an umbrella.
コーヒーが好きです、けれど紅茶も飲みます。
I like coffee, but I also drink tea.
宿題がたくさんあります、けれど遊びたいです。
I have a lot of homework, but I want to play.
この本は面白いです、けれど少し難しいです。
This book is interesting, but it's a little difficult.
彼は来ると言いました、けれど来ませんでした。
He said he would come, but he didn't come.
お腹が空きました、けれど何もありません。
I'm hungry, but there's nothing.
その日は雨だった、けれど私たちは出かけた。
It was raining that day, but we went out.
彼は若かった、けれどとても賢明だった。
He was young, but very wise.
この本は難しいけれど、読み応えがある。
This book is difficult, however it's worth reading.
彼女は忙しいけれど、いつも笑顔だ。
Although she is busy, she always smiles.
私は行きたかった、けれど時間がない。
I wanted to go, but I don't have time.
その計画は複雑だ、けれど成功するだろう。
The plan is complex, however it will probably succeed.
彼は英語を話せる、けれど日本語は苦手だ。
He can speak English, but he's not good at Japanese.
美味しいけれど、ちょっと高い。
It's delicious, but a bit expensive.
Dicas
Basic use of keredo
けれど (keredo) connects two clauses, indicating a contrast or concession. Think of it like 'but' or 'however' in English. It's quite versatile.
Using keredomo for politeness
けれど (keredo) can be made more formal and polite by adding も (mo) to become けれども (keredomo). Use this in business settings or when speaking to superiors.
Placement in sentences
Generally, けれど (keredo) comes at the end of the first clause. For example: 毎日日本語を勉強していますけれど、まだ難しいです。 (Mainichi Nihongo o benkyō shiteimasu keredo, mada muzukashii desu.) I study Japanese every day, but it's still difficult.
When to use ga vs keredo
Both が (ga) and けれど (keredo) mean 'but'. が (ga) is often slightly softer and can introduce new information. けれど (keredo) emphasizes the contrast more directly.
Don't overuse keredo
While useful, try not to use けれど (keredo) excessively in every sentence. Vary your conjunctions to make your Japanese sound more natural.
Informal shortened form: kedo
In casual conversation, けれど (keredo) is often shortened to けど (kedo). This is very common among friends and family. 例：この本、高いけど、面白いよ。(Kono hon, takai kedo, omoshiroi yo.) This book is expensive, but it's interesting.
Keredo at the end of a sentence
Sometimes, けれど (keredo) can be used at the end of a sentence to imply something unsaid, like '...but I won't say more' or '...but there's more to it'. This conveys a sense of hesitation or indirectness.
Indirectness with keredo
Japanese culture often favors indirect communication. Using けれど (keredo) can soften a statement or request, making it sound less direct and therefore more polite. It can be used to set up a request delicately.
Keredo with adjectives and verbs
けれど (keredo) directly follows the plain form of verbs and adjectives (i-adjectives and na-adjectives). For nouns, it's [noun] + だ + けれど (da keredo).
Practice with examples
The best way to master けれど (keredo) is to see it in action. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in dramas, anime, or conversations. Try making your own sentences using the patterns you've learned.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of 'KERE-do' as 'CARE though.' You 'care' about what comes next, 'though' it might be different or contrary to what was just said. 'I care though, it's different.'
Associação visual
Imagine two separate pieces of paper, each with a sentence on it. A 'けれど' is like a bridge connecting them, showing that while they are related, there's a slight turn or difference in thought between them. Picture the bridge having a small sign that says 'BUT' or 'HOWEVER'.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to form five sentences using 'けれど' to connect two contrasting ideas. For example, 'I want to go out, けれど it's raining.' Or, 'This book is interesting, けれど it's difficult to read.' Focus on expressing a 'but' or 'however' relationship between the clauses.
Teste-se 24 perguntas
日本語は面白いです、___ 難しいです。
The sentence means 'Japanese is interesting, but difficult.' 'けれど' (keredo) means 'but' or 'however,' making it the correct choice to show contrast.
この本は小さいです、___ 高いです。
The sentence means 'This book is small, but expensive.' 'けれど' (keredo) connects two contrasting ideas.
雨が降っています、___ 傘を持っていません。
The sentence means 'It's raining, but I don't have an umbrella.' 'けれど' (keredo) indicates a contrast.
彼は学生です、___ アルバイトをしています。
The sentence means 'He is a student, but he has a part-time job.' 'けれど' (keredo) is used to show a slight contrast or an additional, slightly unexpected piece of information.
この食べ物はおいしいです、___ 辛いです。
The sentence means 'This food is delicious, but spicy.' 'けれど' (keredo) correctly expresses the contrasting characteristics.
この映画は長いです、___ 面白いです。
The sentence means 'This movie is long, but interesting.' 'けれど' (keredo) connects two ideas where the second one might be a slight surprise or a contrasting point to the first.
This is expensive, but I'll buy it.
It's raining, but I'm going outside.
I'm studying Japanese, but it's difficult.
Read this aloud:
これは美味しいけれど、辛いです。
Focus: kerêdo
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
彼は優しいけれど、少し静かです。
Focus: yasashii kerêdo
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
この本は面白いけれど、長いです。
Focus: omoshiroi kerêdo
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
この映画は面白いと聞いた___、まだ見ていないんです。
「けれど」は「〜と聞いた」と「まだ見ていない」という逆説の関係をつなぎます。
彼は日本語が上手だ___、漢字はあまり得意ではない。
「日本語が上手」という事実と、「漢字が苦手」という逆説の関係を「けれど」がつなぎます。
このレストランは美味しい___、いつも混んでいる。
「美味しい」という評価と、「混んでいる」という不便さを「けれど」が接続します。
彼は一生懸命勉強した___、試験には落ちてしまった。
「一生懸命勉強した」にもかかわらず「試験に落ちた」という逆説を「けれど」が表現しています。
この仕事は大変だ___、やりがいがある。
「大変」というマイナス面と、「やりがいがある」というプラス面を「けれど」が対比させています。
彼女は優しい人だ___、時には少し厳しい。
「優しい」という性質と、「厳しい」という異なる一面を「けれど」がつないでいます。
You planned to go hiking, but the weather unexpectedly turned bad. Write a short message to a friend explaining why you have to cancel, using 「けれど」.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
ハイキングに行く予定でしたが、天気が悪くなってしまったけれど、また今度行きましょう。
You tried a new restaurant. The food was delicious, but the service was slow. Describe your experience in a short review, using 「けれど」.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
料理はとても美味しかったけれど、サービスが少し遅かったのが残念でした。
You studied hard for an exam, but you still found some questions difficult. Write a sentence expressing this, using 「けれど」.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
一生懸命勉強したけれど、いくつか難しい問題がありました。
この文から、筆者は彼をどのような人だと考えていますか？
Read this passage:
彼はいつも忙しいけれど、頼み事をするといつも手伝ってくれる。本当に優しい人だ。
この文から、筆者は彼をどのような人だと考えていますか？
「忙しいけれど、頼み事をするといつも手伝ってくれる」という記述から、筆者は彼を忙しいけれども、困っている人を助けてくれる優しい人と評価していることがわかります。
「忙しいけれど、頼み事をするといつも手伝ってくれる」という記述から、筆者は彼を忙しいけれども、困っている人を助けてくれる優しい人と評価していることがわかります。
筆者はこの本についてどう評価していますか？
Read this passage:
この本は少し難しいけれど、内容はとても面白い。日本語学習者には良い教材かもしれません。
筆者はこの本についてどう評価していますか？
「少し難しいけれど、内容はとても面白い。日本語学習者には良い教材かもしれません」と書かれているため、難しさはあるものの、内容の面白さから学習者にとって価値があると考えていることがわかります。
「少し難しいけれど、内容はとても面白い。日本語学習者には良い教材かもしれません」と書かれているため、難しさはあるものの、内容の面白さから学習者にとって価値があると考えていることがわかります。
彼女はどんな時に歌いますか？
Read this passage:
彼女は歌が上手だけれど、人前で歌うのは苦手だ。だから、いつもカラオケでしか歌わない。
彼女はどんな時に歌いますか？
「人前で歌うのは苦手だ。だから、いつもカラオケでしか歌わない」とあるので、彼女はカラオケで歌うことがわかります。
「人前で歌うのは苦手だ。だから、いつもカラオケでしか歌わない」とあるので、彼女はカラオケで歌うことがわかります。
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Basic use of keredo
けれど (keredo) connects two clauses, indicating a contrast or concession. Think of it like 'but' or 'however' in English. It's quite versatile.
Using keredomo for politeness
けれど (keredo) can be made more formal and polite by adding も (mo) to become けれども (keredomo). Use this in business settings or when speaking to superiors.
Placement in sentences
Generally, けれど (keredo) comes at the end of the first clause. For example: 毎日日本語を勉強していますけれど、まだ難しいです。 (Mainichi Nihongo o benkyō shiteimasu keredo, mada muzukashii desu.) I study Japanese every day, but it's still difficult.
When to use ga vs keredo
Both が (ga) and けれど (keredo) mean 'but'. が (ga) is often slightly softer and can introduce new information. けれど (keredo) emphasizes the contrast more directly.
Conteúdo relacionado
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
Mais palavras de general
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
