Processing keyword: ～けれど (〜keredo)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～けれど (〜keredo)

1. Introduction

The Japanese conjunction ～けれど (〜keredo) is used to connect two clauses, expressing contrast or contradiction between them. It translates to English as "but", "although", or "though". This grammar point is essential for constructing complex sentences and conveying nuanced meanings in Japanese.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• ～けれど (〜keredo): "but", "although", "though"

Usage

The conjunction ～けれど is used to:

1. Express contrast between two statements.
2. Provide background information before presenting the main point.
3. Soften a statement or request, making it more polite and indirect.

Formation

Basic Structure

[Clause A] + けれど + [Clause B]

• Clause A: The initial statement or background information.
• Clause B: The contrasting statement or main point.

How to Attach ～けれど

Type	Form	Example
Verb	Dictionary form + けれど	行くけれど (iku keredo)
い-adjective	Base adjective + けれど	忙しいけれど (isogashii keredo)
な-adjective	だ + けれど	便利だけれど (benri da keredo)
Noun	だ + けれど	学生だけれど (gakusei da keredo)
Polite form	ます/です form + けれど	行きますけれど (ikimasu keredo)

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Examples of Formation

1. Verb Example:
   • 見るけれど (miru keredo)
     • "I look, but..."
2. い-adjective Example:
   • 暑いけれど (atsui keredo)
     • "It's hot, but..."
3. な-adjective Example:
   • 静かだけれど (shizuka da keredo)
     • "It's quiet, but..."
4. Noun Example:
   • 日本人だけれど (Nihonjin da keredo)
     • "I'm Japanese, but..."

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Visual Aid: Formation Table

Part of Speech	Plain Form	+ けれど	Meaning
Verb	食べる (taberu)	食べるけれど	"I eat, but..."
い-adjective	楽しい (tanoshii)	楽しいけれど	"It's fun, but..."
な-adjective	元気だ (genki da)	元気だけれど	"I'm fine, but..."
Noun	先生だ (sensei da)	先生だけれど	"I'm a teacher, but..."

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparison with Other Conjunctions

～が (〜ga) vs. ～けれど (〜keredo)

• ～が:
  • Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
  • Slightly less formal than ～けれど.
  • Example: 安いが、美味しくない。(Yasui ga, oishikunai.) — "It's cheap, but not tasty."
• ～けれど:
  • Slightly more formal.
  • Can soften statements or requests.
  • Example: 安いけれど、美味しくない。(Yasui keredo, oishikunai.) — "It's cheap, but not tasty."

～けど (〜kedo)

• ～けど is the colloquial and more casual form of ～けれど.
• Commonly used in spoken Japanese.
• Example: 行きたいけど、時間がない。(Ikitai kedo, jikan ga nai.) — "I want to go, but I don't have time."

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4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. Contrasting Statements:
   • 今日は寒いけれど、明日は暖かくなるでしょう。
     • Kyō wa samui keredo, ashita wa atatakaku naru deshō.
     • "It's cold today, but it'll probably get warm tomorrow."
2. Providing Background Information:
   • 時間がないけれど、手伝います。
     • Jikan ga nai keredo, tetsudaimasu.
     • "I don't have time, but I'll help."
3. Softening Requests:
   • すみませんけれど、道を教えていただけますか。
     • Sumimasen keredo, michi o oshiete itadakemasu ka.
     • "Excuse me, but could you tell me the way?"
4. Expressing Personal Feelings:
   • 行きたくないけれど、行かなければなりません。
     • Ikitakunai keredo, ikanakereba narimasen.
     • "I don't want to go, but I have to."
5. Formal Context:
   • 申し訳ありませんけれど、本日は満席でございます。
     • Mōshiwake arimasen keredo, honjitsu wa manseki de gozaimasu.
     • "We apologize, but we are fully booked today."

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Varied Contexts

• Casual Spoken:
  • 彼は好きじゃないけれど、一緒に働かなければならない。
    • Kare wa suki janai keredo, issho ni hatarakanakereba naranai.
    • "I don't like him, but I have to work with him."
• Formal Written:
  • 努力したけれども、結果は変わらなかった。
    • Doryoku shita keredomo, kekka wa kawaranakatta.
    • "Although I made an effort, the result didn't change."

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5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Indirectness

In Japanese culture, it's important to be polite and indirect, especially when making requests or declining offers. Using ～けれど helps soften statements and shows respect.

• Example of Softening a Decline:
  • 忙しいけれど、ごめんなさい。
    • Isogashii keredo, gomen nasai.
    • "I'm busy, so I'm sorry (I can't)."

Expressing Humility

Using ～けれど at the end of a sentence can indicate hesitation or modesty, which is valued in Japanese communication.

• Example:
  • 私の意見ですけれど…。
    • Watashi no iken desu keredo...
    • "This is my opinion, but..."

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Incorrect Attachment:
   • Incorrect: 暑いだけれど (Atsui da keredo)
   • Correct: 暑いけれど (Atsui keredo) Note: Do not add だ after い-adjectives before けれど.
2. Using Polite Form Incorrectly:
   • Incorrect: 行きますだけれど (Ikimasu da keredo)
   • Correct: 行きますけれど (Ikimasu keredo) Note: Do not insert だ after verbs in polite form.

Tips

• Remember the Forms:
  • For な-adjectives and nouns, include だ before けれど in plain form.
  • For い-adjectives and verbs, directly attach けれど.
• Politeness Levels:
  • Use ～けれども for a more formal or emphatic tone.
  • Use ～けど for casual, everyday conversation.
• Soften Requests and Statements:
  • Starting with すみませんけれど or 申し訳ありませんけれど makes requests more polite.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～けれど is used to express "but", "although", or "though" by connecting two clauses.
• It adds contrast or background information.
• It can soften statements, aligning with Japanese politeness norms.
• Correct attachment depends on the type of word (verb, adjective, noun).

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you attach ～けれど to a な-adjective like 便利 (benri)?
   • A) 便利だけれど
   • B) 便利けれど
   • C) 便利ですけれど
2. Translate the following sentence using ～けれど: "I studied hard, but I didn't pass the exam."
3. Which form is more casual: ～けれど or ～けど?

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Answers

1. A) 便利だけれど
2. 一生懸命勉強したけれど、試験に合格しなかった。
   • Isshōkenmei benkyō shita keredo, shiken ni gōkaku shinakatta.
3. ～けど is more casual.

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