くせに | Grammar

Structure

[verb (plain)] + くせに [i-adj] + くせに [na-adj] + な + くせに [noun] + の + くせに

Description

くせに means "even though", and it complains: someone does something they have no business doing, given what they are or what they know. It follows a verb or an い-adjective in the plain form; a な-adjective takes な and a noun takes の.

、。

You don't even know, so stop acting like an expert.

、。

He never does it himself, and all he does is complain.

、。

Don't be cheeky – you're only a kid.

A noun takes の, a な-adjective takes な: ×子供なくせに, ×暇のくせに.

くせに or のに

also means "even though", and can be neutral, surprised or disappointed. くせに always blames a person. It is rude, and you won't hear it in polite speech.

、。

Even though it rained, the match wasn't called off.

、。

He's got no money, and he only buys expensive things.

For the same reason, both halves of a くせに sentence are about the same person, whose behaviour you're criticising. Weather and things that just happen take のに.

× 雨のくせに、試合は中止にならなかった → 雨なのに、試合は中止にならなかった

Usage notes

These go beyond criticising someone else in mid-sentence.

About yourself

Turned on yourself, くせに is self-reproach.

、。

I can't do any of it, and I went and said yes anyway.

Ending on くせに

The sentence can stop at くせに and leave the complaint unsaid.

。

You don't know anything about it.

Examples

、。

Even though he knows, he won't tell me.

、。

He criticizes other people's cooking even though he can't cook himself.

、。

Even though she's free, she won't try to help.

、。

Don't be cheeky – you're just a kid.

、。

Even though it's his own fault, he won't apologize.

、。

Despite being rich, he's stingy.

、。

Even though he promised, he didn't come.

、。

Even though he's bad at it, he acts all high and mighty like a pro.

、。

Even though he didn't study, he's saying the test was easy.

、。

You don't know anything, so don't butt in.

、。

You're an adult – don't cry.

、。

Even though she can't do it herself either, she's only strict with others.

References

くせにBunpro