～くせに
And yet, despite what should be expected
You’ll be able to criticize or complain that someone or something behaves contrary to an expectation.
知っているくせに、兄は秘密の場所を教えてくれません。
shitte iru kuse ni, ani wa himitsu no basho o oshiete kuremasen.
What do you think this sentence means?
Even though he knows, my older brother won't tell me where the secret spot is.
Criticize contrary behavior
～くせに expresses frustration or reproach toward someone who acts contrary to expectations given what they know or their condition ("even though...", "and yet...").
弟は子どものくせに、大人みたいなことを言う。
otouto wa kodomo no kuse ni, otona mitai na koto o iu.
My younger brother is just a kid, yet he talks like an adult.
下手なくせに、いつも歌いたがる。
heta na kuse ni, itsumo utaitagaru.
They are bad at singing, yet they always want to sing.
Attach くせに to plain forms
Attach くせに to plain forms of verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives (using な), or nouns (using の). Both clauses share the same subject, expressing critical judgment.
自分では何もしないくせに、文句ばかり言う。
jibun de wa nani mo shinai kuse ni, monku bakari iu.
Even though he does nothing himself, he only complains.
～のに vs ～くせに
Both mean “even though”. ～のに shows disappointment or surprise. ～くせに adds blame aimed at a person, so it can sound rude.
～のに, even though
答えを知っているのに、教えてくれない。
kotae o shitte iru noni, oshiete kurenai.
Even though they know the answer, they won’t tell me.
Disappointed, but not attacking the person.
～くせに, and yet (blaming)
答えを知っているくせに、教えてくれない。
kotae o shitte iru kuse ni, oshiete kurenai.
They know the answer perfectly well, and yet they won’t tell me!
Openly criticizes the person.
課長は、自分は会議に遅れてきたくせに、私の遅刻を注意した。
kachou wa, jibun wa kaigi ni okurete kita kuse ni, watashi no chikoku o chuui shita.
Our section chief came late to the meeting themselves, and yet they told me off for being late.
弟は泳げないくせに、海に行こうと言い出した。
otouto wa oyogenai kuse ni, umi ni ikou to iidashita.
My little brother can’t even swim, and yet he suggested going to the beach.
部長は自分ではパソコンが使えないくせに、私たちには難しい資料を作らせる。
buchou wa jibun de wa pasokon ga tsukaenai kuse ni, watashitachi ni wa muzukashii shiryou o tsukuraseru.
Our manager can’t use a computer themselves, and yet they make us create difficult documents.
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.