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N4

But / Though: が / けど

About 8 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Core idea

が and けど both mean 'but' or 'though.' They connect two ideas, but they can also soften the first statement when the second part is left unstated.

  1. Target signal

    この店は高いですが、おいしいです。

    This restaurant is expensive, but it is delicious.

    ですが sounds more formal than けど.

    Vocabulary notes
    おいしい
    delicious
    ですが
    but; however
    この
    this

  2. Compare in context

    行きたいけど、時間がありません。

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

    けど is common in everyday spoken contrast.

    Vocabulary notes
    ません
    polite negative verb ending
    たい〜たい
    want to do
    けど
    but; though

Section 2 of 3

Formation and patterns

Both polite and plain forms can come before が or けど. In conversation, けど is common and casual. ですが sounds more formal.

  1. Target signal

    すみませんが、もう一度お願いします。

    Excuse me, but could you say that one more time?

    すみませんが softens the request politely.

    Vocabulary notes
    お願いしますおねがいします
    please; I request it
    すみません
    excuse me; sorry; thank you
    みません
    do not watch; will not see

  2. Preview

    ちょっと難しいけど、やってみる。

    It's a little difficult, but I'll try.

    Plain form + けど is common in casual speech.

    Vocabulary notes
    ちょっと
    a little; just; hey
    てみる〜てみる
    to try doing ...
    難しいむずかしい
    difficult

Section 3 of 3

Reading and nuance

Sentence-ending が or けど can soften a request, refusal, or hesitation. The speaker implies the rest without saying it directly.

  1. Target signal

    明日はちょっと都合が悪いんですが……

    Tomorrow is a little inconvenient for me...

    The speaker is implying a refusal or problem.

    Vocabulary notes
    ちょっと
    a little; just; hey
    ですが
    but; however
    です
    to be (polite); is; am; are

  2. Preview

    質問があるんですけど。

    I have a question, actually.

    This opens a conversation in a softer way.

    Vocabulary notes
    あるありません
    there is not; do not have
    ある
    to exist; to have

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how But / Though: が / けど changes the meaning before you check the translation.

この店は高いですが、おいしいです。 行きたいけど、時間がありません。 すみませんが、もう一度お願いします。 ちょっと難しいけど、やってみる。 明日はちょっと都合が悪いんですが…… 質問があるんですけど。

Show English translation

This restaurant is expensive, but it is delicious. I want to go, but I don't have time. Excuse me, but could you say that one more time? It's a little difficult, but I'll try. Tomorrow is a little inconvenient for me... I have a question, actually.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how But / Though: が / けど changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how But / Though: が / けど changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of But / Though: が / けど in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

Which sentence uses けど to show contrast?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (But / Though: が / けど).

この店は高いですが、＿＿＿です。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1行きたいけど、時間がありません。
  2. 2すみませんが、もう一度お願いします。
  3. 3この店は高いですが、おいしいです。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of But / Though: が / けど in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/3

Which sentence uses けど to show contrast?