けれども (keredomo)

Meaning & usage

けれども connects two clauses to show contrast, meaning but, although or nevertheless when the second part goes against what the first part suggests. It follows a clause in the plain form, such as verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives plus だ, and nouns plus だ, and it also commonly follows polite です and ます forms as in ですけど or ますけど. The full けれども sounds formal, けれど is more neutral, and けど is casual and frequent in conversation, with all three sharing the same joining function.

Example sentences 5

1. つまらないものですけど、どうぞ。

   Here's a little something for you.

2. 車を買いたいけど、買うお金がないんだ。

   I want to buy a car, but I don't have the money for it.

3. いろんなところに行きたいけど、先立つものがない。

   I want to visit many places but I don't have money.

4. 何か言ってやりたかったけど、言わなかった。

   I wanted to say something to him, but I didn't.

5. やりたいけど、できないの。

   I want to do it, but I can't.