～けど
but / however
～けど is a casual conjunction meaning “but”. It attaches to the end of a clause and connects it to a second clause that contrasts with or qualifies the first.
It is one of the most common words in everyday Japanese conversation. In formal speech and writing, が plays the same role.
1. Contrast: “A, but B”
Say the first fact, add けど, then say the second fact that goes against it.
暑いけど、行く。
“It's hot, but I'll go.”
- 暑い（あつい）= hot
- けど = but
- 行く（いく）= will go
2. Softening the start of a conversation
Japanese speakers also use けど to introduce themselves or a topic gently, leaving the sentence open so the listener can respond. Here it does not really mean “but”.
もしもし、田中ですけど。
“Hello, this is Tanaka (calling).”
- もしもし = hello (on the phone)
- 田中（たなか）= Tanaka (a family name)
- です = polite “am / is”
- けど = softener (politely leaves the sentence open)
How to form it
Plain or polite form + けど (nouns and な-adjectives need だ before けど)
- 暑い（あつい）= hot → 暑いけど（あついけど）= it is hot, but
- 行く（いく）= to go → 行くけど（いくけど）= (I) will go, but
- 雨（あめ）= rain → 雨だけど（あめだけど）= it is raining, but
Key idea
～けど is the casual, all-purpose “but” of spoken Japanese. It contrasts two ideas, or simply softens what you are about to say.
Other N5 grammar
Updated .