〜くせに
kuse ni
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
"even though ~", "despite ~" — with criticism, blame or contempt.
Grammatically like のに, but always carries a negative attitude towards the subject, so never use it about yourself or a superior.
Casual complaints and rebukes.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
V-plain + くせにい-adj + くせにな-adj + な + くせにN + の + くせに
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Feeling | Subject | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜くせに | Blame, contempt | Same in both clauses; not the speaker | 知っているくせに教えない (he knows yet won't tell — how mean) |
| 〜のに | Surprise, regret (neutral) | Can differ; can be the speaker | 知っているのに教えない (he knows yet won't tell — strange) |
Natural examples
知っているくせに、教えてくれない。
しっているくせに、おしえてくれない。
He knows, but he won't tell me.
子供のくせに、生意気なことを言うな。
こどものくせに、なまいきなことをいうな。
Don't talk back like that when you're only a child.
下手なくせに、人に教えたがる。
へたなくせに、ひとにおしえたがる。
He's bad at it, yet he's always trying to teach others.
下手なくせに、自分では上手だと思っている。
へたなくせに、じぶんではじょうずだとおもっている。
He's terrible at it, but he thinks he's good.
Similar grammar and the difference
Neutral 'even though'; no blame; the subject can be the speaker. Compare side by side
〜にもかかわらず (N2)
Formal 'despite'; neutral and written.
'For a…': judges against expectation without contempt (子供にしては上手だ). Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 私は学生のくせに、遊んでばかりいる。
- ✓
- 私は学生なのに、遊んでばかりいる。
- Why
- The speaker cannot be the target of くせに; use のに for self-criticism.
- ✗
- 雨が降っているくせに、彼は出かけた。
- ✓
- 雨が降っているのに、彼は出かけた。
- Why
- くせに blames the subject for a contradiction in their own behaviour; rain is not the subject's fault, and the subjects differ.
- ✗
- 子供くせに
- ✓
- 子供のくせに
- Why
- Nouns take の before くせに.
〜くせして is a casual variant with the same meaning. The tone is strong; even among friends it sounds like teasing or scolding. Common with 知っている, できる, 男 / 女, 子供, 新人, 金持ち.
JLPT N3 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence expresses annoyance at a person's inconsistent behaviour, choose くせに; if it is neutral surprise, choose のに.
- The subject must not be 私; a first-person sentence rules out くせに.
- Check attachment: な after な-adjectives, の after nouns.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜くせに mean?
"even though ~", "despite ~" — with criticism, blame or contempt. Grammatically like のに, but always carries a negative attitude towards the subject, so never use it about yourself or a superior.
How do you form 〜くせに?
V-plain + くせに / い-adj + くせに / な-adj + な + くせに / N + の + くせに. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜くせに used?
Casual complaints and rebukes.
What is the difference between 〜くせに and 〜のに?
Neutral 'even though'; no blame; the subject can be the speaker.
What is the difference between 〜くせに and 〜にもかかわらず (N2)?
Formal 'despite'; neutral and written.
What is a common mistake with 〜くせに?
Wrong: 私は学生のくせに、遊んでばかりいる。 Right: 私は学生なのに、遊んでばかりいる。 The speaker cannot be the target of くせに; use のに for self-criticism.
Quick check
彼は何も知らない（ ）、知っているようなことを言う。