JLPT N4・N5 Grammar – “〜けど” and “〜のに”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between ”けど” and “のに”
2. 〜けど
3. 〜のに
4. Summary
5. Quiz
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment

Q: Are “〜けど” and “〜のに” the same?

A: Both “〜けど” and “〜のに” are used to introduce something contrary to what was initially stated.
While their role in presenting opposing information is the same, using “〜けど” or “〜のに” gives a slightly different nuance, expressing differences in the speaker’s feelings.

〜けど (JLPT N5)

• It is used to simply state facts, regardless of the speaker’s feelings.
• After “〜けど“, you can use commands, requests, intentions, or judgments from the speaker.

[Rules]　
[V] Verb plain form＋けど
[A] い adjective plain form＋けど
[Na] な adjective plain form＋けど
[N] Noun plain form＋けど

[Examples]
[V] 彼かれにメールをしたけど、まだ返事へんじがありません。
I emailed him, but there’s still no response.
⇒ It is simply stating the fact that there is no reply to the email.

[A] 新しん幹線かんせんは高たかいけど速はやいです。
The Shinkansen is expensive but fast.
⇒ It is a well-known fact that the Shinkansen is expensive yet fast.

[Na] ここは便利べんりだけどあまり人気にんきじゃないです。
This place is convenient, but it’s not very popular.
⇒ It is stating the fact that it is convenient but not popular.

[N] 雨あめだけど出でかけましょう。
It’s raining, but let’s go out.
⇒ It’s a decision to go out even though it’s raining.
　
[V] すみません。このプロジェクトは終おわりましたけど、まだ少すこし手伝てつだってくれませんか。
I’m sorry. The project is finished, but could you still help a little bit?
⇒ The speaker is requesting the other party to help even though the project has ended.

〜のに (JLPT N4)

• It expresses the speaker’s surprise, dissatisfaction, or disappointment.
• It is also used when something unexpected or different from what the speaker thought occurs. Therefore, it is not used for obvious matters.
• Unlike “〜けど”, it cannot be followed by commands, requests, intentions, or judgments from the speaker.
• In business contexts, it is also used when the speaker apologizes to the listener.

[Rules]
[V] Verb plain form＋のに
[A] い adjective plain form ＋のに
[Na] な adjective＋なのに
[N] Noun＋なのに

[Examples]
[V] 彼かれにメールを送おくったのに返事へんじが来きません。
I emailed him, but haven’t received a response.
⇒Since I sent the email, I’ve been expecting a reply, but none has come, which is surprising and disappointing.

[A] このレストランは安やすいのにおいしいね。
This restaurant is cheap yet delicious.
⇒It is surprising and unexpected that it tastes better than one would expect for the price.

[Na] 父ちちは仕事しごとがとても大変たいへんなのに毎日まいにち元気げんきです。
Although my father’s work is extremely demanding, he’s energetic every day.
⇒Despite his demanding job, the fact that he is still energetic is surprising and unexpected.ます。

[N] 今日きょうは雪ゆきなのにあまり寒さむくないですね。
It’s snowing today, but it’s not very cold.
⇒It’s less cold than one would expect from the snow, which is surprising and unexpected.

[V] お電話でんわをいただいたのに、出でられなくて申し訳もう　わけございませんでした。
I apologize for not being able to answer the phone when you called.
⇒The listener made a phone call, but unfortunately, the speaker couldn’t answer, expressing regret and an apology.

Summary

“〜けど” does not involve the speaker’s feelings and is used to express facts or opinions about a certain matter.
“〜のに” includes the speaker’s surprise, dissatisfaction, or a sense of the unexpected.”

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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