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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜くせに

    〜くせに

    〜くせに

    This means "even though" or "despite." You use it when you are upset or annoyed about something.

    N2KMT6RoughStandardConjunctionMixedContrary To Expectations Or RulesGrammar

    Verb [dictionary form] + くせにPrimary
    い-Adjective + くせに
    な-Adjective + な + くせに
    Noun + の + くせに

    This means "even though" or "despite." You use it when you are upset or annoyed about something.

    知しっているくせに、教おしえてくれないんだ。

    You know, and yet you won't tell me!

    RoughProgressiveAffirmativeMid SentenceEmphaticEmotions & Psychology
    いつも偉えらそうなことばかり言いって。自じ分ぶんでは何なにもできないくせに。

    He's always saying such pompous things, even though he can't do anything himself.

    CasualNon PastNegativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEmotions & PsychologyWork & Career
    本ほん当とうは強つよくないくせに、いつも威い張ばっていた。

    Despite not actually being strong, he was always acting all high and mighty.

    CasualPastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEmotions & Psychology
    下へ手たなくせに、やりたがるから困こまるんだよ。

    It's a problem because he's bad at it, and yet he always insists on doing it.

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeGamesEmotions & Psychology
    大だい学がく生せいのくせに、こんな簡かん単たんな漢かん字じも読よめないのか。

    You're a university student, and yet you can't even read a simple kanji like this?

    RoughNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceConjecturalEducation

    This phrase shows strong negative feelings. It means you are upset or blaming someone. It's like saying, "How could you do that?" It is not a polite phrase. Only use it with close friends. Or use it when you want to criticize someone.

    This is different from 'のに' (noni). 'のに' shows a simple surprise or regret. 'くせに' shows strong anger or blame. It means someone should have known better. It is also different from 'にもかかわらず' (ni mo kakawarazu). That phrase is formal and shows facts. 'くせに' is informal and shows strong feelings. 'わりに(は)' (wari ni wa) shows something is not as expected. But it does not blame anyone like 'くせに' does.

    Don't use this when the two parts of the sentence have different subjects. For example, you wouldn't say "My friend is rich, but I'm poor." You also don't use it for things that aren't alive. It is for criticizing people or animals.

    Contrasts with(3)

    〜に反して

    This phrase means something goes against what you expect. It shows something is different from a rule or a wish.

    〜にもかかわらず

    This means 'even though' or 'despite'. You use it when something happens that you do not expect.

    〜のに

    This word means "even though" or "despite." You use it when something happens that you do not expect. It can show you are surprised or unhappy.

    Less formal alternatives(1)

    〜ものを

    This phrase shows you are unhappy. It means something did not go as planned. You feel a good chance was lost.

    辞書形

    This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

    〜い / 〜かった

    This is the basic form of an い-adjective. It describes a quality of something. You use it for present or past qualities.

    〜だ / 〜だった

    This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    contrasts_with

    • 〜に反して
    • 〜にもかかわらず
    • 〜のに

    prerequisite

    • 辞書形
    • 〜い / 〜かった
    • 〜だ / 〜だった

    Similar concepts

    • 〜ものを

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