…のに
…noni
The English phrase 'although' can be expressed in Japanese using …のに (…noni) or …だけれども.
Meaning: in spite of the fact that (conj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| …のに | …noni |
| …だけれども | …da keredomo |
The form …のに is used in situations where the speaker feels a sense of regret or disappointment.
Which one should you use?
…のに carries a nuance of unexpectedness, regret or complaint, whereas …だけれども is a more neutral way to express a simple concession.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
…だけれども is more formal and polite than the more conversational …のに.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form …のに is attached directly to the dictionary form of verbs and adjectives, but it requires だ after nouns and な-adjectives in the present tense.
How do you pronounce it?
…noni
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using …のに to mean 'although', remember that the の is an integral part of the grammatical structure and should not be confused with the particle の.
Did you know?
- Japanese speakers sometimes start a sentence with けど to soften a request or a disagreement. In this context, it doesn't mean 'although' but acts as a social cushion to avoid being too direct.
- The 'dake' in …だけれども literally means 'only' or 'just', meaning the phrase can be thought of as 'even if it is only…', though this is not the literal translation.
- The nuance of …のに is so strong that using it in a business apology can actually sound like you are making an excuse, potentially offending a superior.
Examples in context
- 彼は忙しいですが、頑張っています。Although he is busy, he is doing his best.
- 雨が降っているのに、傘を忘れた。Although it is raining, I forgot my umbrella.
- ちょっと疲れているけど、でも楽しい。Although I'm a bit tired, it's still fun.
- 彼女、可愛いけど、どちらかというと、クールな人だね。Although she is cute, she tends to be more of a cool person.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “although” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
