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

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(Joy complaining about rain [Noni] vs. Joy describing a dress calmly [Keredomo])

“I studied hard, but I failed!” (Complaint)
“I studied hard, but the test was difficult.” (Fact)
In Japanese, のに (Noni) is used for complaints or surprises (“It shouldn’t be like this!”). けれども (Keredomo) is a neutral connector (“A, but B”). Using “Noni” at the wrong time can make you sound childish or rude! Let’s learn with Joy and Ken.

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy is looking at the weather forecast.

Joy

もう4月（しがつ）なのに、まだ寒（さむ）いですね。
春（はる）の服（ふく）を着（き）たいです。
(It is already April, “yet / even though” it is still cold. I want to wear spring clothes!)

Ken

そうですね。予報（よほう）では晴（は）れだと言っていましたが…。
寒いですけれども、出かけましょうか？
(Right. The forecast said it would be sunny… It is cold, “but” shall we go out?)

💡 Explanation

Emotion vs. Neutrality.

1. 〜のに (Noni) = Even though / Despite (Regret/Surprise)

Feeling: “It’s different from what I expected!”
Used when the result is unexpected, causing dissatisfaction, surprise, or regret. It implies complaint.

勉強したのに、落ちた。
(I studied, “yet” I failed! [I’m frustrated])
高いのに、美味しくない。
(It’s expensive, “yet” it’s bad. [Complaint])

2. 〜けれども / 〜けど (Keredomo / Kedo) = But / However

Feeling: “A is true, but B is also true.” (Neutral)
Simply connects two facts. “Keredomo” is formal, “Kedo” is casual. It is also used to soften a statement (preliminary remark).

勉強したけれども、落ちた。
(I studied, “but” I failed. [Stating the fact])
高いけれども、美味しい。
(It is expensive, “but” it is delicious.)
すみませんけれども…
(Excuse me, but… [Polite opener])

📊 Comparison Table

Word	Key Nuance	Translation
のに (Noni)	Complaint, Surprise, Regret (Emotional)	Even though… Despite…
けれども (Keredomo) (Also: が / けど)	Neutral Contrast, Introduction (Objective)	But… Although…

🚧 Joy’s Mistake

(Joy calls a restaurant to make a reservation)

❌ Wrong: もしもし、予約（よやく）したいのに…
(Tone: “Hello? I want to make a reservation, BUT [why aren’t you helping me? / something is wrong]!” This sounds like you are complaining before you even start.)

✅ Right: もしもし、予約したい のですが / けれども…
(Tone: “I would like to make a reservation, so…” This is a polite way to start a request.)