Conjunctions が and けど
In this lesson, you will learn two conjunction words, が (ga) and けど (kedo). They both mean 'but'. You will learn the difference between the two.
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to extend your ability to make sentences by plugging conjunctions.
The conjunctions が and けど are used to express a difference or to introduce another clause. They are the equivalent to the English 'but'. が is more formal than けど. Much like から, they will be positioned at the end of the first clause, and not at the beginning of the second one.
ともだちとレストランにいきましたが、なにもたべませんでした。
Tomodachi to resutoran ni ikimashita ga, nanimo tabemasen deshita.
I went to the restaurant with my friends, but I did not eat anything.
このピザはおいしいですが、たかいです。
Kono piza wa oishii desu ga, takai desu.
This pizza is delicious, but expensive.
だいがくにいきましたけど、せんせいはいませんでした。
Daigaku ni ikimashita kedo, sensei wa imasen deshita.
I went to the university, but the teacher was not there.
The case of けど
けど will be used as a hesitation from time to time. It will make the sentence softer, especially if you decline an invitation or an offer, or if you are expression an opinion.
いっしょにのみにいきましょうか？
Issho ni nomini ikimashou ka?
Shall we go drink together?
すみません、きょうはべんきょうするんですけど。
Sumimasen, kyou wa benkyou surun desu kedo.
Sorry, I am studying today.
ああ、つまらなくないとおもいますけど。
Aa, tsumaranakunai to omoimasu kedo.
Aa, I actually don't think this is boring.
There are various forms of けど that you will come across.
けど = more colloquial form
けども = the addition of the particle も emphasizes the contrast
けれど
けれども = complete form (けど is a contracted form of けれども)
が = the most formal form
けど is also used to ask favors indirectly, without being too rude.
すみません。もうへいてんじかんなんですけど。。。
Sumimasen. Mou heiten jikan nan desu kedo...
Excuse-me, but it is almost time to close shop...
Coupled with なん or んです or のです, the sentence will be softer, less direct.
けど will also be used to make a sentence more polite.
きょうの6じによやくしたたなかですけど。
Kyou no 6 ji ni yoyaku shita Tanaka desu kedo.
I'm Tanaka, I have an appointment today at 6.
When expressing feelings or complains, けど allows you to sound softer when expressing a complain or a strong feeling.
わたしだってがんばっているんですけど。
Watashi datte ganbatteirun desu kedo.
Well, I am doing my best.