Grammar › Concession & Contrast
くせに — “even though… (with a critical tone)”
Like のに, but pointed — calls out a contradiction with a hint of scorn or complaint
A plain-form clause + くせに sets up the same “even though” contrast as のに, but adds a distinctly critical or mocking edge — “even though X (which should mean Y), they instead did the opposite.” It's almost always aimed at a specific person's behavior and reads as judgmental, so it's for complaining, not neutral description.
How to form it
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Plain form + くせに | 下手なくせに、人に教えたがる — He's bad at it, and yet he's always trying to teach others |
Example sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 知っているくせに、教えてくれなかった。 | しっているくせに、おしえてくれなかった。 shitteirukuseni、oshietekurenakatta。 | Even though he knew, he wouldn't tell me. |
| お金がないくせに、高い服ばかり買う。 | おかねがないくせに、たかいふくばかりかう。 okaneganaikuseni、takaifukubakarikau。 | Even though he has no money, he only buys expensive clothes. |
| できないくせに、できるふりをする。 | できないくせに、できるふりをする。 dekinaikuseni、dekirufuriwosuru。 | Even though he can't do it, he pretends he can. |
🔊 Tap any Japanese sentence to hear it; kanji link to their study pages.
Watch out
くせに always carries an accusatory, slightly rude tone — used about yourself it can work as self-deprecating humor, but aimed at someone else it reads as a complaint or insult, never a neutral observation.