Python Keywords
Keywords in Python are special reserved words that are part of the language itself. They define
the rules and structure of Python programs which means you cannot use them as names for
your variables, functions, classes or any other identifiers.
Getting List of all Python keywords
We can also get all the keyword names using the below code.
import keyword
print("The list of keywords are : ")
print([Link])
Output
The list of keywords are:
['False', 'None', 'True', 'and', 'as', 'assert', 'async', 'await', 'break', 'class', 'continue', 'def', 'del',
'elif', 'else', 'except', 'finally', 'for', 'from', 'global', 'if', 'import', 'in', 'is', 'lambda', 'nonlocal', 'not',
'or', 'pass', 'raise', 'return', 'try', 'while', 'with', 'yield']
Identify Python Keywords
Ways to identify Python Keywords are:
• With Syntax Highlighting: Most of IDEs provide syntax-highlight feature. You can see
Keywords appearing in different color or style.
• Look for SyntaxError: This error will encounter if you have used any keyword incorrectly.
Keywords can not be used as identifiers like variable or a function name.
Keywords as Variable Names
If we attempt to use a keyword as a variable, Python will raise a SyntaxError. Let's look at an
example:
for = 10
print(for)
Output
Hangup (SIGHUP)
File "/home/guest/sandbox/[Link]", line 1
for = 10
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
Let's categorize all keywords based on context for a more clear understanding.
Category Keywords
Value Keywords True, False, None
Operator
and, or, not, is, in
Keywords
Control Flow
if, else, elif, for, while, break, continue, pass, try, except, finally, raise, assert
Keywords
Function and
def, return, lambda, yield, class
Class
Context
with, as
Management
Import and
import, from
Module
Scope and
global, nonlocal
Namespace
Async
async, await
Programming
Keywords vs Identifiers
Keywords Identifiers
Reserved words in Python that have a specific Names given to variables, functions,
meaning. classes, etc.
Can be used as variable names if not a
Cannot be used as variable names.
keyword.
Examples: if, else, for, while Examples: x, number, sum, result
User-defined, meaningful names in the
Part of the Python syntax.
code.
Can be defined and redefined by the
They cannot be redefined or changed.
programmer.
Variables vs Keywords
Variables Keywords
Reserved words with predefined
Used to store data.
meanings in Python.
Can be created, modified, and deleted by the Cannot be modified or used as variable
programmer. names.
Examples: x, age, name Examples: if, while, for
Used to define the structure of Python
Hold values that are manipulated in the program.
code.
Variables Keywords
Variable names must follow naming rules but are Fixed by Python language and cannot
otherwise flexible. be altered.
