JLPT N4・N5 Grammar – The difference between “〜けど” and “〜のに”

Table of Contents

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

Q: Are “〜けど” and “〜のに” the same?

A: Both are used to express something that contrasts with the first part of the sentence.
However, there is a major difference in whether the speaker’s feelings are included.

・～けど: states facts or opinions in a neutral way
・～のに: includes the speaker’s feelings, such as surprise, dissatisfaction, or disappointment

Being aware of this difference is the key to using them correctly.

〜けど (JLPT N5)

[Meaning]
Used to state facts or situations as they are, without involving the speaker’s emotions

[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]
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.

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.
⇒ This is a combination of generally known facts.

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.
⇒ The evaluation is stated in a neutral way.

雨あめだけど出でかけましょう。
It’s raining, but let’s go out.
⇒ This expresses the speaker’s judgment or intention.
　
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)

[Meaning]
An expression used to show the speaker’s feelings of surprise, dissatisfaction, disappointment, or something unexpected

[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]
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.
⇒ Because I sent an email, I expected a reply, but it didn’t come, so this expresses surprise and dissatisfaction.

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.
⇒ Because it is cheap, the food is better than expected, expressing surprise and a sense of unexpectedness.

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.
⇒ Compared to what would normally be expected from such hard work, he is energetic, which expresses surprise.

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.
⇒ This shows a gap between the general expectation and the actual situation.

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.
⇒ This expresses a feeling of regret or disappointment, together with an apology.

Let’s Compare

Now, let’s look at some examples.

[Example]
今日きょうは雨あめだけど、出でかけます。

It’s raining, but I’m going out.

⇒ After stating the fact that it’s raining, the speaker communicates their own decision.

今日きょうは雨あめなのに、出でかけないといけません。
Even though it’s raining today, I have to go out.
⇒ Normally, people don’t want to go out on a rainy day, but the speaker has no choice, so this expresses feelings of dissatisfaction or disappointment.

Let’s look at another example.

[Example]
この店みせは高たかいけど、おいしいです。

This restaurant is expensive, but it’s good.

⇒ This neutrally states facts and an evaluation about the price and taste.

この店みせは高たかいのに、おいしくないです。

This restaurant is expensive, but it’s not good.
⇒ The speaker expected it to be good because it’s expensive, but it isn’t, so this expresses a feeling of disappointment.

In this way, “～けど” is used when simply stating facts or situations as they are.
The speaker’s feelings are not particularly included, and it can be followed by judgments, requests, or suggestions.

On the other hand, “～のに” is used when the speaker wants to express feelings such as surprise, dissatisfaction, or disappointment.
It is used when the result is different from the speaker’s expectations or common sense, and it cannot be followed by commands or requests.

Summary

[〜けど]

• The speaker’s feelings are not included.
• Used to state facts, opinions, or judgments in a neutral way.
• Can be followed by commands, requests, or expressions of intention.

[〜のに]

• Includes the speaker’s feelings such as surprise, dissatisfaction, disappointment, or unexpectedness.
• Expresses a result that is different from what was expected or from common sense.
• Cannot be followed by commands, requests, or expressions of intention.

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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