~くせに
〜kuse ni
JLPT N3 Casual
Formation
Verb-casual + くせに, い-Adjective + くせに, な-Adjective + な/のくせに, Noun + のくせに
Used to express criticism or disapproval; 'even though', 'despite', 'in spite of'.
When to use
Carries criticism/disdain - "even though X, (which makes Y worse/hypocritical)". Never neutral; always judgmental.
Explanation
The ~くせに grammar point is used to express criticism or disapproval in a sentence. It can be translated as 'even though', 'despite', or 'in spite of' in English. The formation differs depending on whether it is used with a verb, い-adjective, な-adjective, or noun.
Example sentences
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Even though he's rich, he's stingy.
Kare wa okanemochi no kuse ni, kechi desu.
-
Don't complain even though this room is dirty. (criticizing)
Kono heya ga kitanai kuse ni, monku wo iu na.
-
Even though he's free, he won't help me.
Kare wa hima na kuse ni, tetsudatte kuremasen.
-
Even though she's beautiful, she can't keep a date going.
Kanojo wa bijin na kuse ni, deeto ga tsudzukanai.
Concession (Even Though / Although / Despite)
- ~ても/でも〜te mo/demoN4Expresses 'even if' or 'even though'; used to convey…
- ~といっても〜to ittemoN3Express the meaning 'even though', 'although', 'but'.
- ~ところが〜tokoro gaN3Expresses a contrast or unexpected outcome; 'however'…
- A。それなのに B。~sorenanoniN2Express contrast or a contradiction between two situations…
- ~わりには〜wari ni waN3Expresses contrast between expectation and reality…
- ~にもかかわらず〜ni mo kakawarazuN2Expresses 'despite', 'in spite of' or 'even though'.
- ~ながらも〜nagara moN1Means 'even though' or 'despite'.
- Noun にしてNoun ni shiteN1Expresses the idea 'even for', 'even though', or 'in spite…
- ~とはいえ~to wa ieN1Even though; although; but
- ~といえども〜to iedomoN1Even if it is said that; Even though; Although.
- ~に反して〜ni hanshiteN2Contrary to, against, in spite of
- ~のに〜no niN4Used to express contrast between expectation and reality…
- ~ことは…が~koto wa... gaN3Indicates that while something may be true or valid, there…
- ~かと思いきや〜ka to omoikiyaN1Expressing unexpected outcomes; 'just when I thought...'…
Corpus examples (23)
-
Although dull in almost every aspect, you're sharp in the most unexpected matters.
-
I'm not a toothless barking dog.
ただでさえ奴は普段から仕事に遅れて来るくせに、酒まで飲んで来るなんて堪忍袋の緒が切れた。もう会社を辞めてもらうしかない。
It was bad enough that he usually came to work late, but coming in drunk was the last straw, and I'm going to have to let him go.
-
You're 3 years younger than me, so don't mess with me.
-
Don't speak like you know. Even though you don't know anything about me.
手を付けずダラダラしているくせに、「うへー、今度こそ間に合わないかも!?」と心はビクビクしている。
Despite having lazed around without having touched my work I'm frightened at heart that "Ooh-er, this time I might really not get done in time!?"
-
I know you're happy about it. Why don't you just show it?
-
He is rich yet he lives like a beggar.
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Even though he's a policeman, he's afraid of thieves.
-
You know I don't like eggs.
-
I know you saw that.
日本語のニュアンスが分からないくせに、自分の辞書のほうが正しいと言い張る傲慢な毛唐だ。
You're an arrogant dirty foreigner who claims your dictionary is correct even though you don't understand the nuances of Japanese.
-
These days more and more young people talk to their elders on even terms.
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His voice is thin even though he is fat.
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You can't live without me.
-
Act your place.
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That's big talk for an upstart like you.
-
"What are you talking about?" "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about."
タトエバって,サイト名が日本語のくせに日本での知名度は低いですよね。
Despite Tatoeba's site name being in Japanese, in Japan it is not very well known.
「この問題集、買おっかな」「やらないくせに」「なんか言った?」
"I wonder if I should buy this workbook." "Even though you won't do the exercises?" "Did you say something?"
-
You are not our friend.
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"What are you talking about?" "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about."
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You never wanted to talk about it.