Kedo in Japanese is used at the three different places

How to use “kedo” in Japanese

Japanese people use “kedo” at the three different places: at the beginning of a sentence, between two sentences, and at the end of a sentence. In this blog post, I will explain these three usages with example sentences. These explanations would help Japanese learners to understand how to use “kedo” effectively. Let’s get started!

Contents

• “Kedo” at the beginning of a sentence
  • Example #1: how to start a sentence with “kedo”
• “Kedo” between two sentences
  • Example #2: how to connect two sentences by “kedo”
• “Kedo” at the end of a sentence
  • Example #3: how to use “kedo” at the end of a sentence
• Summary: kedo in Japanese

“Kedo” at the beginning of a sentence

Let me start with the definition and meaning of “kedo” used at the beginning of a sentence.

• kedo – けど : a conjunctive particle put at the beginning of a sentence to say something different from or opposite to what the last sentence says.

This type of “kedo” can work in more or less the same way as “but” does in English. When we want to say something different from or opposite to what the last sentence says, we can start a new sentence with this particle. Let me explain how to use this “kedo” through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to start a sentence with “kedo”

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• ame – 雨 (あめ) : a noun meaning ‘rain’ in Japanese.
• ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, it is put after “ame” to make the subject word in the sentence.
• fut – 降っ (ふっ) : one conjugation of the verb, “furu”, which means ‘to fall’ in Japanese. It has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle put after a verb or adjective to make its te form. In the example, it is put after the conjugated verb, “fut”, to make its te form, “fut te”. Verbs need to be changed to their te forms to be connected with “iru”.
• iru – いる : an auxiliary verb used to express the continuity of the action described by its preceding verb. In the example, it is put after the te-formed verb, “fut te”, to express the continuity of the action, ‘to fall’.
• umi – 海 (うみ) : a noun meaning ‘sea’ in Japanese.
• he – へ : a case particle used to indicate a particular place to which someone or something goes. In the example, it is put after “umi” to indicate the particular place to which “watashi” wants to go.
• iki – 行き (いき) : one conjugation of the verb, “iku”, which means ‘to go’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• tai – たい : an auxiliary verb put after a verb to make its desire form. In the example, it is put after the conjugated verb, “iki”, to make its desire form, “iki tai”, which means ‘to want to go’.

This is a typical usage of this type of “demo”. In this example, it is used at the beginning of the second sentence which says something unlikely to happen under the condition stated by the first sentence. As this example shows, when we want to say something different from or opposite to what the last sentence says, this “kedo” is helpful. As the translation shows, it corresponds well to “but” in English.

“Kedo” between two sentences

Next, let me explain the definition and meaning of “kedo” used between two sentences.

• kedo – けど : a conjunctive particle used to join two sentences which say different or opposite things.

This type of “kedo” is very similar to the last one. In this case, however, we need to use “kedo” at the end of the first sentence and need to consider its connection. Let me explain how it can connect two sentences through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to connect two sentences by “kedo”

This is a typical usage of this “kedo”. The translation doesn’t reflect the difference well, but this type of “kedo” needs to be put at the end of the first sentence to connect it with the second. When we want to say different, or opposite, things at one breath, this particle is very helpful. Conversely, when we want to have a pause between two sentences, the last “kedo” is more effecttive.

A word preceding this “kedo” needs to be in its plain form, namely, not conjugated. “Iru” is the plain form of this auxiliary verb itself, so can be connected with “kedo” without any process.

“Kedo” at the end of a sentence

Lastly, let me explain the definition and meaning of “kedo” used at the end of a sentence.

• kedo – けど : a sentence-ending particle used to express dissatisfaction, to wish something unlikely to happen, or to make a euphemism.

This “kedo” needs to be used at the end of a sentence. So, its usage is similar to that of the last one. To tell the truth, this “kedo” is derived from the last one. We can get this type of “kedo” by omitting the second sentence in the last example. Let me explain this in detail through the example sentences below.

Example #3: how to use “kedo” at the end of a sentence

This is a typical usage of this “kedo”. By finishing a sentence with it, we can make a nuanced expression. Depending on the context, this example sentence expresses dissatisfaction, wishes something unlikely to happen, or can be a euphemistic expression. This example sentence is different from the simple declarative sentence below.

This sentence is just saying the fact. It doesn’t imply anything behind at all. In a way, “kedo” at the end of a sentence is a marker and tells us that something supposed to be said is omitted. Let me explain this point more through the two sentences below.

The first sentence is just expressing the desire to go to the sea; the second implies that something prevents the speaker from making the desire come true. Again, but what is implied depends on the context. At least, however, a sentence ending with “kedo” can mean something different from what its simple declarative form says.

Summary: kedo in Japanese

In this blog post, I’ve explained the three different usages of “kedo” with the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• kedo – けど : a conjunctive particle put at the beginning of a sentence to say something different from or opposite to what the last sentence says. Its usage is similar to that of “but” in English.
• kedo – けど : a conjunctive particle used to join two sentences which say different or opposite things. This is similar to the one explained above, but when we want to say two different things at one breath, this type of “kedo” is helpful.
• kedo – けど : a sentence-ending particle used to express dissatisfaction, to wish something unlikely to happen, or to make a euphemism.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.