Python Keywords

Last Updated: June 12, 2026 • 5 min read

Python has 35 reserved keywords that cannot be used as variable, function, or class names. They form the structural backbone of Python syntax. Understanding each keyword's purpose is fundamental to writing correct Python code.

Control Flow Keywords

if, elif, else — conditional branching
for, while — loops
break, continue, pass — loop control
match, case — structural pattern matching (Python 3.10+)

Definition Keywords

def — define a function
class — define a class
return, yield — return values from functions/generators
lambda — anonymous function
async, await — asynchronous programming

Import & Module Keywords

import, from, as — module imports
global, nonlocal — variable scope control

Error Handling & Context

try, except, else, finally, raise — exception handling
with — context managers (resource management)
assert — debugging assertions
del — delete references

Special Values

True, False — boolean values
None — null/absence of value
and, or, not, in, is — logical and identity operators

Soft Keywords (Python 3.10+)

match and case are "soft keywords" — they only have special meaning inside a match statement. You can still use them as variable names elsewhere (though it's not recommended).