JLPT N5 grammar · Conjunctions & Questions

が/けど: meaning, usage and examples

が/けど means: but... (conjunction).

Updated · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

How to form it

＜Clause A＞ + が/けど + ＜Clause B＞

Examples

  1. 雨あめですが、運動うんどうします。

    It's raining but I'm going to exercise.

  2. このラーメンはおいしいけど、高たかいです。

    This ramen is delicious, but it is expensive.

  3. 日本語にほんごは難むずかしいですが、おもしろいです。

    Japanese is difficult, but interesting.

  4. 行いきたいけど、時間じかんがありません。

    I want to go, but I don’t have time.

When to use it

Connects two contrasting clauses ('but, however') or softens a statement before adding something.

Nuance

けど is more casual than が. Both can also function as soft lead-ins without strong contrast.

Compare

でも (but) starts a new sentence. が/けど connects within one sentence.

Tip: Japanese speakers often end sentences with が or けど to leave things open-ended, implying the rest.

More on this in Japanese particles.

More in Conjunctions & Questions

Frequently asked questions

What does が/けど mean?

But... (conjunction). Example: 雨あめですが、運動うんどうします。 (It's raining but I'm going to exercise.)

How do you form が/けど?

＜Clause A＞ + が/けど + ＜Clause B＞. Japanese speakers often end sentences with が or けど to leave things open-ended, implying the rest.