Python Keywords

Syntax Satellite

Python Keywords

Keywords are reserved by the language. Know them so you don't accidentally reuse them or misunderstand their semantics.

Download the listSee them in code

Keyword table

A selection of the most common keywords (Python 3.12)

Keyword	Purpose
and / or / not	Logical operators
if / elif / else	Conditionals
for / while / break / continue	Loops
match / case	Pattern matching
def / return / yield / lambda	Functions & generators
class	Define classes
try / except / finally / raise	Error handling
with	Context managers
import / from / as	Module management
global / nonlocal	Scope controls
is / in	Identity and membership tests
del	Delete names and items
assert	Debug-time invariant checks
async / await	Asynchronous functions
pass	Empty placeholder
True / False / None	Singleton constants

See keyword.kwlist for the authoritative set at runtime.

Examples

import keyword
print(keyword.kwlist)

Avoid using keywords as variable names. IDEs usually highlight them in distinct colors.

Next up in your learning path

Practice with the syntax guide

See keywords in context.

Companion

Drill control flow

Use conditionals and loops extensively.

Practice

Explore match-case

Learn the latest additions to the keyword set.

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