だけど

• Reading: だけど
• Romaji: dakedo
• Pronunciation: /da.ke.do/

Meaning

However; but; though. A casual conjunction expressing contrast.

A casual conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement. Less formal than だが or しかし, and slightly more relaxed than だけれど. Very common in everyday spoken Japanese. Can appear at the beginning of a sentence or between clauses.

Examples

1. 行きたかった。だけど、時間がなかった。 I wanted to go. But I didn't have time.
2. 安いのはいい。だけど、品質も大事だよ。 It's good that it's cheap. But quality matters too, you know.
3. 彼は優しい人だ。だけど、少し頑固なところがある。 He's a kind person. But he can be a little stubborn.

Usage Guide

Context: daily conversation, casual writing, texting

Tone: conversational

Origin & History

Contraction of だけれども (dakeredo mo), which combines the copula だ with the concessive けれども. The shortened form became standard in casual speech.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal