What is the difference between Demo and Kedo? [でもXけど]

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between the expressions Demo [でも] and Kedo [けど]? In this article, I will explain the grammatical function of each of them and their main differences in the Japanese language.

The expressions, Demo [でも] and Kedo [けど] are used as conjunctions to say “but” in Japanese. It can also be translated as “however” or “although.”

We have previously written an article showing how to say “but” in Japanese. In that article, you will find some information about these conjunctions, we recommend reading it as well.

Before we delve deeper, it is important to understand that this “But” used to translate these terms does not always make sense, meaning that depending on the situation, context, and sentence construction, its meaning can change completely.

Read also: How to Say “but” in Japanese – Demo, Kedo or Shikashi?

Kedo – けど

To begin with, let’s start by understanding Kedo. As explained earlier, it means: but, although, despite, however. However, Kedo does not always carry this meaning.

How should Kedo be used? Initially, it should be used between two different ideas.

Let’s see an example: I’m sleepy, but since I have homework to do, I can’t sleep.

眠いけど、まだ宿題があるから寝られません。
Nemui kedo, mada shukudai ga aru kara neraremasen. 

Note that Kedo appears to make a contrast between the facts; despite such a fact, another thing occurs.

If you want to be more formal, you can resort to (Keredomo) けれども, which means the same thing.

There is also (Dakedo) だけど, which can also be used, but note that: it must be linked to だ Da/だった Datta/なのだ Nanoda/んだ Nda/, etc.

Expressing openness

Stepping away from this more usual and known sense of Kedo, it is often used at the end of a sentence, but not necessarily meaning “But” as we learned later; in some situations when a Japanese person uses Kedo at the end of a sentence, they just want to leave an opening for you to say something next.

Be it by changing the subject, responding to something, etc.

Expressing politeness

Moreover, Kedo can be used at the end of a sentence to express more politeness in your speech, so it doesn’t sound too rude or confrontational.

Expressing uncertainty

It can also be used to show some uncertainty in your speech, indicating that you are not very sure about what you just said. For example:

　明日だと思うけど…
Ashita dato omou kedo

I think it’s tomorrow, but (I’m not sure)

Besides these meanings, it can also create an opening for someone to explain something to you more deeply once you have used Kedo to express some uncertainty.

We recommend reading as well:

• How to express longing in Japanese?
• How a simple sound can express something in Japanese
• How to express “Very” in Japanese?

Demo – でも

There are several situations where demo has an entirely different meaning from kedo.
To use でも (Demo), it is important to know that it is used to start new sentences or connect two ideas that contradict each other.

To make it clearer, let’s see it in a sentence.

I went to the supermarket. However, I had forgotten my wallet.

スーパーに行きました。でも、財布を忘れました！
Suupaa ni ikimashita. demo saifu wo wasuremashita!

Note that unlike Kedo, which continues to be linked to the previous sentence, Demo only comes after, after the period in the previous sentence.

Just like Kedo has its variations of meanings and significances, Demo also has its own.

And a very common meaning that Demo has is to separate ideas, which can be translated as: Even if, even when, something like.

Something like

The first meaning is: Something like, something of the kind, along those lines.
To make it clearer, let’s see an example sentence.

Would you like tea or something like that?

お茶でも召し上がりませんか？
O cha demo meshiagarimasenka ?

Even if

Your second meaning is: Even if, even when, even in.
To make it clearer, let’s see another example sentence.

It’s okay to say that in Japanese.
Even if you say that in Japanese, it’s okay.

日本語でも言っていいよ！
Nihongo demo iiteiiyo!

Something of the kind

Don’t even come close, please.
Don’t come close or something of the kind.

近寄らないでもください。
Chika yoranaidemo kudasai.