～けれども
But: the formal version
You’ll be able to express contrast formally in writing and in careful speech.
この公園は小さいけれども、花がたくさんあります。
kono kouen wa chiisai keredomo, hana ga takusan arimasu.
What do you think this sentence means?
This park is small, but it has many flowers.
Connect ideas with a more formal “but”
けれども expresses contrast like けど but is more formal and careful. In everyday speech, shorter けれど or けど is more common.
便利だけれども、少し高いです。
benri dakeredomo, sukoshi takai desu.
It is convenient, but a little expensive.
After verbs and い-adjectives
Use a plain verb or い-adjective before けれども.
行きたいけれども、時間がありません。
ikitai keredomo, jikan ga arimasen.
I would like to go, but I do not have time.
この本は長いけれども、面白いです。
kono hon wa nagai keredomo, omoshiroi desu.
This book is long, but it is interesting.
雨が降っていますけれども、試合はあります。
ame ga futte imasu keredomo, shiai wa arimasu.
It is raining, but the game will take place.
After nouns and な-adjectives
Use だけれども after a plain noun or な-adjective.
学生だけれども、会社でも働いています。
gakusei da keredomo, kaisha demo hataraite imasu.
I am a student, but I also work at a company.
静かだけれども、便利な町です。
shizuka da keredomo, benri na machi desu.
It is a quiet but convenient town.
休日だけれども、学校に行きます。
kyuujitsu da keredomo, gakkou ni ikimasu.
It is a day off, but I am going to school.
～けど vs ～けれども
けど is the shortened form of けれども. The long one belongs in writing and careful speech; the short one in conversation.
けれども, formal
便利だけれども、少し高いです。
benri dakeredomo, sukoshi takai desu.
It is convenient, but a little expensive.
The full form, for writing and careful speech.
けど, casual
便利だけど、少し高い。
benri da kedo, sukoshi takai.
It’s convenient, but a bit expensive.
The everyday contraction.
このホテルは駅から遠いけれども、部屋は広いです。
kono hoteru wa eki kara tooi keredomo, heya wa hiroi desu.
This hotel is far from the station, but the rooms are spacious.
海は近いけれども、今日は泳ぎません。
umi wa chikai keredomo, kyou wa oyogimasen.
The sea is nearby, but I will not swim today.
週末に旅行したいけれども、仕事があります。
shuumatsu ni ryokou shitai keredomo, shigoto ga arimasu.
I want to travel this weekend, but I have work.
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