JLPT N5 Grammar
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But / however
Category: Conjunctions & Reasons
The grammar pattern "〜けど / 〜けれども" is used to indicate a contrasting or softening relationship between two clauses. It can be translated to 'but', 'however', or 'though'. The casual form "けど" is often used in everyday conversation, while the semi-formal form "けれど" is used in more formal writing or speaking. The formal form "けれども" is used in very formal writing or speaking. This pattern is often used to add a nuance or a contrast to the previous statement, making it more interesting or polite.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain or polite form | Verb form + けど / れるども | Plain form: 本日は雨が降っていますけど、外に出たいです。 (It's raining today, but I want to go outside.) Polite form: 本日は雨が降っていますけれども、外に出たいです。 (It's raining today, but I want to go outside.) |
| Plain or polite form | Noun phrase + けど / れるども | Plain form: 本日は雨が降っていますけど、外に出たいです。 (It's raining today, but I want to go outside.) Polite form: 本日は雨が降っていますけれども、外に出たいです。 (It's raining today, but I want to go outside.) |
| Plain or polite form | Verb phrase + けど / れるども | Plain form: 本日は雨が降っていますけど、外に出たいです。 (It's raining today, but I want to go outside.) Polite form: 本日は雨が降っていますけれども、外に出たいです。 (It's raining today, but I want to go outside.) |
日本語は難しいけど、おもしろいです。
Nihongo wa muzukashii kedo, omoshiroi desu.
Japanese is difficult, but it's interesting.
日本語は難しい (Japanese is difficult) + けど (but) + おもしろいです (it's interesting)
昨日買い物に行ったけれども、何も買いませんでした。
Kinou kaimono ni itta keredo, nanimo kaimasen deshita.
I went shopping yesterday, but I didn't buy anything.
昨日買い物に行った (I went shopping yesterday) + けれども (but) + 何も買いませんでした (I didn't buy anything)
すみませんけど、駅はどこですか?
Sumimasen kedo, eki wa doko desu ka?
Excuse me, but where is the station?
すみません (excuse me) + けど (but) + 駅はどこですか (where is the station?)
私は日本語が好きだけど、英語も好きです。
Watashi wa nihongo ga suki kedo, eigo mo suki desu.
I like Japanese, but I also like English.
私は日本語が好き (I like Japanese) + けど (but) + 英語も好きです (I also like English)
本日は雨が降っていますけれども、外に出たいです。
Honjitsu wa ame ga futte imasu keredo, soto ni detai desu.
It's raining today, but I want to go outside.
本日は雨が降っています (It's raining today) + けれども (but) + 外に出たいです (I want to go outside)
The grammar pattern "〜けど / 〜けれども" is used to indicate a contrasting or softening relationship between two clauses. It can be used in everyday conversation, formal writing, or speaking. The casual form "けど" is often used in informal settings, while the semi-formal form "けれど" is used in more formal settings. The formal form "けれども" is used in very formal writing or speaking.
In very formal writing, が is often used to indicate a contrasting relationship between two clauses, while けど is used in more informal settings.
While both から and けど can be used to connect two clauses, they have opposite logical relationships. から is used to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, while けど is used to indicate a contrasting or softening relationship.
The grammar pattern "〜けど / 〜けれども" can be used to add a nuance or a contrast to the previous statement, but it should not be used in a way that changes the meaning of the sentence.
When using the grammar pattern "〜けど / 〜けれども" in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct form (casual, semi-formal, or formal) and to attach it to the end of the first clause. Also, be careful not to confuse it with other grammar patterns, such as から (because) or が (but).
日本語は難しい______、おもしろいです。
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