The Difference Between のに (noni) vs けれども (keredomo)｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

“I studied hard, but I failed.” In Japanese, how do you say “but”?

You might know けれども (keredomo). But there is another important word: のに (noni).

勉強（べんきょう）したけれども、できませんでした。(Neutral fact)
勉強（べんきょう）したのに、できませんでした。(Emotion: “Why?!”)

One is a simple connection, and the other is full of emotion (surprise, frustration, or complaint). This article will explain the difference between のに and けれども

Usage Explanation ①: のに (noni) – Surprise / Complaint

のに (noni) connects two sentences. It means “although” or “even though.”

The key point is Unexpected Result. You use it when the result is different from what you expected, and you feel surprised, disappointed, or frustrated.

Grammar: Plain Form + のに (For Na-adj/Noun: add な)

Example 1: (Complaint/Frustration)

あんなに練習（れんしゅう）したのに、負（ま）けました。(Anna ni renshū shita noni, makemashita.)

Even though I practiced so much, I lost. (I am frustrated!)

Example 2: (Surprise)

春（はる）なのに、暑（あつ）いです。(Haru na noni, atsui desu.)

Even though it is spring, it is hot. (Strange!)

Example 3: (Disappointment)

約束（やくそく）したのに、彼（かれ）は来（き）ませんでした。(Yakusoku shita noni, kare wa kimasen deshita.)

Although we promised, he didn’t come. (I’m upset.)

Key Point: Use のに when you want to show your emotion: “That’s weird!”, “That’s not fair!”, or “Why?”.

Usage Explanation ②: けれども (keredomo) – Polite “But”

けれども (keredomo) also means “but” or “although.” It is often shortened to けれど (keredo) or けど (kedo).

This is a Neutral connector. It simply connects contrasting ideas (“A, but B”) or softens a statement (“I think A, but…”). It does not necessarily imply strong emotion.

Example 1: (Simple contrast)

このパソコンは高（たか）いですけれども、性能（せいのう）はいいです。(Kono pasokon wa takai desu keredomo, seinō wa ii desu.)

This computer is expensive, but the performance is good. (Neutral fact)

Example 2: (Softening/Introductory)

すみません、田中（たなか）ですけれども、社長（しゃちょう）はいますか？(Sumimasen, Tanaka desu keredomo, shachō wa imasu ka?)

Excuse me, this is Tanaka, but… is the president there?

Example 3: (Casual conversation – Kedo)

行（い）きたいけど、時間（じかん）がない。(Ikitai kedo, jikan ga nai.)

I want to go, but I have no time.

Key Point: Use けれども (or が) when stating facts or being polite. It is safe to use in most situations.

Comparison: のに vs けれども

Let’s check the feeling.

Point	のに (noni)	けれども (keredomo)
Meaning	Even though, Although	But, However, Although
Nuance	Unexpected, Emotion (Complaint, Regret, Surprise)	Neutral, Connection (Fact, Softening, Introduction)
Usage	When the result is not what you expected.	General connection of sentences.
Grammar (Noun)	学生なのに (Gakusei na noni)	学生ですけれども (Gakusei desu keredomo)
Example	高いのに、まずい。 (It’s expensive, yet tastes bad! – Complaint)	高いけれども、おいしい。 (It’s expensive, but tasty. – Fact)

Common Mistake Examples

Mistake 1: Making a request

Wrong:: すみません、ペンを借（か）りたいのに、いいですか？(Sumimasen, pen o karitai noni, ii desu ka?)
Correct:: すみません、ペンを借（か）りたいのですが（けれども）、いいですか？(Sumimasen, pen o karitai no desu ga, ii desu ka?)
Why?: Using “noni” here sounds like you are complaining: “Even though I want to borrow a pen… (why won’t you let me?)”. To introduce a topic politely, use が or けれども.

Mistake 2: Natural consequence

Wrong:: 雨（あめ）が降（ふ）っているのに、外（そと）に出（で）ません。(Ame ga futte iru noni, soto ni demasen.)
Correct:: 雨（あめ）が降（ふ）っているから、外（そと）に出（で）ません。(Ame ga futte iru kara, soto ni demasen.)
Why?: “Because it is raining, I won’t go out.” This is a natural reason (kara/node). “Noni” is for unexpected results. You could say: “雨が降っているのに、外に出ます” (Even though it’s raining, I will go out).

Practice Quiz

Let’s check your understanding! Choose the correct word for ( ).

Q1.

薬（くすり）を飲（の）んだ ( )、まだ熱（ねつ）が下（さ）がりません。

( ) I took medicine, my fever hasn’t gone down yet.

のに (noni)
から (kara)

Q2.

すみません、トイレに行（い）きたいです ( )、どこですか？

Excuse me, I want to go to the bathroom, ( ) where is it?

のに (noni)
けれども (keredomo)

Q3.

日曜日（にちようび）( )、働（はたら）かなければなりません。

( ) it is Sunday, I have to work. (Complaint)

なけれども (na keredomo)
なのに (na noni)

Quiz Answers

Q1. (a) のに – You expected to get better, but you didn’t. (Unexpected/Bad result)

Q2. (b) けれども – You are introducing a topic/request politely. (Softener)

Q3. (b) なのに – You are complaining. “Even though it’s Sunday!” (Also, remember ‘na’ for nouns).

Summary: Key Differences

Remember your feeling:

のに (noni): “Why?!” (Surprise/Complaint).
Use when the result is weird or unfair.
けれども (keredomo): “But…” (Neutral/Polite).
Use when simply connecting ideas or being polite.

If you are just saying “A but B,” use けれども (or が). If you want to say “Even though!”, use のに.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between けど (kedo), けれど (keredo), and けれども (keredomo)?

A1: They all mean the same thing (‘but’), but the politeness level is different.

けど (kedo): Casual (Conversation with friends)
けれど (keredo): Neutral/Polite (Standard)
けれども (keredomo): Formal/Very Polite (Speeches, Writing, Business)

Q2: Can I use ‘ga’ instead of ‘keredomo’?

A2: Yes! が (ga) is very similar to けれども (keredomo). They both mean ‘but’ and connect sentences naturally. Example: 食べましたが、お腹が空いています。(I ate, but I’m hungry.)

Q3: Why is it ‘na-noni’ sometimes?