Japanese word

けれど

Pronunciation

Romajikeredo

Meaning

  • particlebut

Example

この本は面白いけれど、少し長いです。ko no hon wa omo shiro i ke re do suko shi naga i de su

This book is interesting, but it is a little long.

Illustration for けれど (but)

More examples

行きたいですけれど、今日は時間がありません。i ki ta i de su ke re do kyō wa ji kan ga a ri ma se n

I want to go, but I do not have time today.

Core concept

Presents one point as true while opening a contrasting or qualifying point, whether that point is stated or left unsaid.

Similar words

がga: Links two parts of a sentence while presenting a mild contrast.
のにnoni: Shows that a result or situation does not fit what the first clause suggests.

Definition in Japanese

一方の事柄を示し、それと対照的な事柄を後に続ける語。ip pō no koto gara o shime shi so re to tai shō teki na koto gara o ato ni tsuzu ke ru go

Word origin

けれど (keredo) developed as a shortened form of けれども (keredomo), combining けれ (kere), the classical auxiliary けり (keri) in its attributive form, with ど (do), a particle showing contrast.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, けれど (keredo) often keeps a contrast gentle, and sentence-final use can signal that the speaker is leaving the rest unsaid.

Other meanings

  • althoughconjunction

Word lists with this word