けいさつ は きた けど、 しょうこ は のこってねぇ。Keisatsu wa kita kedo, shouko wa nokottenee.
The cops came, but there was no evidence left behind.
This word is all about that but, though, or however kind of vibe. You use it when you wanna link two ideas, but the second one is a little different, maybe even a contradiction, to the first. It’s like you’re layin’ down the facts, then you hit ’em with the curveball. It’s the smooth transition you need when you’re tryin’ to explain yourself without gettin’ tripped up. It’s that moment in a negotiation when you say, “Yo, I respect your offer, but we ain’t doin’ business for less than five Gs.” You feel me? You’re acknowledging what they said, but you’re stayin’ true to your own terms.
Here’s how you put that verb, noun, or adjective in line with 〜けど. It’s easy, just listen up.
| Word Type | Form | Example Hiragana | Translation |
| Verbs | Dictionary form + けど | いき たい けど | I want to go, but… |
| い-adjectives | Plain form + けど | たか い けど | It’s expensive, but… |
| な-adjectives | Plain form + けど | しずか だけど | It’s quiet, but… |
| Nouns | Plain form + だけど | ギャング だけど | I’m a gangster, but… |
When you’re trying to connect your words, you just gotta slide 〜けど right after the word like it’s a seamless transition. For verbs and い-adjectives, it’s a no-brainer—just slap it on the end. Now, with な-adjectives and nouns, you gotta be slick and add a little だ before the けど. Think of it like a secret handshake. It’s a little thing, but it shows you’re in the know.
Think of けど like the classic vinyl scratch in a DJ set. The music is bumpin’, you’re feelin’ the flow, and then skrrrrtch—a quick pause, a shift in the beat, and the track takes a whole new direction. That’s けど. It’s the pause that changes the game. You’re servin’ up a smooth line, then you hit ’em with a little somethin’ extra, a little twist. It keeps ’em on their toes, know what I’m sayin’?
Now let’s get you fluent with some more words from the streets.
なっとく は できねぇ (Nattoku wa dekinee)
English: I can’t agree; I can’t accept it.
Yo, when somebody’s sayin’ some straight-up nonsense or comin’ at you with a deal that’s not right, you gotta let ’em know. It’s like when your connect tries to short you on a pack, and you’re like, “Nah, son, I ain’t havin’ that. Nattoku wa dekinee.” You ain’t gonna accept that weak stuff.
こんじょう が ねぇ (Konjou ga nee)
English: No guts; no courage; no heart.
This is for that cat who talks a big game but disappears when the real trouble pops off. They ain’t got no backbone, no heart. When you’re in the streets, you gotta have guts. If you fold under pressure, you got konjō ga nee. That’s a straight-up diss.
はく は つけた (Haku wa Tsuketa)
English: I made a name for myself; I gained respect.
This ain’t just about bein’ famous. This is about earnin’ respect in the game. It’s when you’ve done the work, put in the time, and people know your name and what you’re about. It’s like when you move from a corner hustler to a boss with a whole crew. You’ve earned your stripes, you’ve put in the work. You got haku wa tsuketa.
ぶっぱなす (Buppanasu)
English: To shoot a gun; to fire a shot.
This is the real deal, no playin’ around. When it’s time to let ’em know you’re serious, you gotta act on it. This is what you do when the beef gets real, and there’s no more talkin’. You gotta buppanasu. You gotta let that thing clap.
りし (Rishi)
English: Interest (on a loan).
So, say you lendin’ out some bread to a homie who’s down on his luck. But you ain’t runnin’ a charity, right? You gotta get your money back, plus a little extra for the trouble. That extra bit is the rishi. It’s that fee you get on top of the original loan. It’s the cost of doin’ business. Don’t be late on that payment, or things can get ugly.
Now check the flow on these sentences, feel how that けど hits.
あいつ は だち だけど、 うらぎったら しめる。
Aitsu wa dachi dakedo, uragittara shimeru.
He’s my homie, but if he betrays me, I’ll beat him up.
かね は かした けど、 りし は とる ぜ。
Kane wa kashita kedo, rishi wa toru ze.
I lent him the money, but I’m taking the interest.
この しごと は きけん だけど、 でかい かね に なる。
Kono shigoto wa kiken dakedo, dekai kane ni naru.
This job is dangerous, but it’ll make big money.
ちゃか を ぶっぱなしたい けど、 いま は がまん だ。
Chaka o buppanashitai kedo, ima wa gaman da.
I want to fire my gun, but I have to hold back for now.
やくそく は した けど、 じょうきょう が かわった。
Yakusoku wa shita kedo, joukyou ga kawatta.
I made a promise, but the situation has changed.
おんな を しんじたい けど、 この せかい じゃ むり だ。
Onna o shinjitai kedo, kono sekai ja muri da.
I want to trust the girl, but in this world, it’s impossible.
この はく は つけた けど、 まだ ゆだん は できねぇ。
Kono haku wa tsuketa kedo, mada yudan wa dekinee.
I’ve established my reputation, but I can’t let my guard down yet.
あいつ は あたま は きれる けど、 こんじょう が ねぇ。
Aitsu wa atama wa kireru kedo, konjou ga nee.
That dude is smart, but he’s got no guts.
はなし は きいた けど、 なっとく は できねぇ。
Hanashi wa kiita kedo, nattoku wa dekinee.
I heard what you said, but I’m not convinced.
けいさつ は きた けど、 しょうこ は のこってねぇ。
Keisatsu wa kita kedo, shouko wa nokottenee.
The cops came, but there was no evidence left behind.
Alright, that’s the word. Holler at me if you need another lesson. Peace.
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