Tuesday, 3 July 2012

けど

In many cases when けど is used at the end of sentence, the original meaning "but" fades away, and it simply functions as a softener to avoid an abrupt remark.

野球が好きですか。Do you like baseball?
はい、好きですけど。Yes, I like it.

When making a phone call and identifying yourself, "kedo" is often used as a softener.
田中ですけど。This is Tanaka.

Source: http://japanese.about.com/blqow1.htm

Levels of politeness with どう

どうする?- What will you do? (Lit. How do?)
どうしますか?Regular polite
どうされますか?Passive polite
どうんさいますか?Honorific
どうなさいますでしょうか?Honorific + a lesser degree of certainty.

Source: http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar/causepass