～くせに — Even though (with reproach): and yet… | JLPT N3 grammar

Meaning

A contrast with reproach, irritation or contempt: “knows, yet won’t tell.” Both clauses usually evaluate the same person. It most often targets others, but sharp self-criticism is also possible. Directed at the listener, くせに sounds rude.

Formation

V普通形 (plain form)＋くせに: 知っている → 知っているくせに; 知らない → 知らないくせに; 約束した → 約束したくせに
いA＋くせに — 若い → 若いくせに
なA＋な＋くせに — 下手 → 下手なくせに
N＋の＋くせに: 子ども → 子どものくせに
Sentence-final (reproach left hanging): 寂しい → 本当は寂しいくせに。

When to use it

Where to use it: In casual complaints and reproaches: 何も知らないくせに、偉そうに説明する. Also in a polite story about a third person: 新人のくせに、態度が大きいんですよ.
Where not to use it: Not for a neutral contrast without evaluation; use のに for that. It normally evaluates the same person, so contrasting unrelated subjects does not fit. The sharp reproach is usually inappropriate in formal interaction.

Examples

20 sentences

知ってしっているくせに、どうして教えておしえてくれないの？
You know perfectly well — so why won't you tell me?
子どもこどものくせに、親おやに向かってむかってその言い方いいかたは何なんだ。
You're just a kid — what kind of way is that to talk to your parents?
彼かれは何なにも知らないしらないくせに、偉そうにえらそうに説明せつめいする。
He doesn't know a thing, yet he explains it all so smugly.
姉あねは料理りょうりが下手なへたなくせに、いつも味付けあじつけに口くちを出すだす。
My sister can't cook, yet she always butts in about the seasoning.
あいつは若いわかいくせに、すぐ疲れたつかれたと言ういう。
He's young, and yet he's always saying he's tired.
彼かれは約束やくそくしたくせに、また来なかったこなかった。
He promised, and yet he didn't show up again.
本当ほんとうは寂しいさびしいくせに。
You're actually lonely, and you know it.
父ちちは自分じぶんはよく遅れるおくれるくせに、私わたしが遅れるおくれると怒るおこる。
Dad is always late himself, yet he gets angry when I'm late.

12 more examples

あの店員てんいんは新人しんじんのくせに、態度たいどが大きいおおきいんですよ。
That clerk is new, yet he acts so cocky.
わからないくせに、わかったふりをしないで。
Don't pretend you understand when you don't.
兄あには暇ひまなくせに、引っ越しひっこしを手伝っててつだってくれなかった。
My brother has nothing to do, yet he didn't help me move.
大人おとなのくせに、注射ちゅうしゃが怖いこわいの？
You're a grown-up and you're scared of shots?
彼かれはプロのくせに、こんな簡単なかんたんなミスをした。
He's supposed to be a pro, and he made such a simple mistake.
彼女かのじょは家いえが一番いちばん近いちかいくせに、いつも最後さいごに来るくる。
She lives the closest of all of us, yet she always shows up last.
何なにもしないくせに、文句もんくばかり言わないでいわないでよ。
You don't do a thing, so stop complaining all the time.
毎晩まいばんゲームをしているくせに、時間じかんがないと言ういう。
He plays games every night, yet he says he has no time.
ジムに入会にゅうかいしたくせに、一度いちども行っていっていない自分じぶんが情けないなさけない。
I signed up for the gym and haven't gone once. I'm pathetic.
よく言ういうよ、自分じぶんも昨日きのう遅刻ちこくしたくせに。
Look who's talking. You were late yourself yesterday.
うちの犬いぬは大きいおおきいくせに、子猫こねこを怖がるこわがるんです。
Our dog is so big, and yet he's afraid of kittens.
あの政治家せいじかは税金ぜいきんを下げるさげると言っていっていたくせに、逆にぎゃくに上げたあげた。
That politician said he'd lower taxes, and instead he raised them.

Important notes

A colloquial variant is くせして: 子どものくせして. At the end of a sentence, くせに leaves the reproach unfinished: 知ってるくせに。
If there's no reproach, just a contradiction, のに is better; for a calm "compared with what you'd expect" evaluation, use わりに.

Common mistakes

✗ 姉は料理が下手だくせに、口を出す。 → ✓ 姉は料理が下手なくせに、口を出す。 — na-adjectives connect with な, not だ.
△ 私は学生のくせに、あまり勉強しない。 — possible as sharp self-reproach: “I call myself a student, yet hardly study.” For a calmer admission, use 私は学生なのに、あまり勉強しない。
✗ 雨が降っているくせに、彼は傘を持たずに出かけた。 → ✓ 雨が降っているのに、彼は傘を持たずに出かけた。 — the clauses have different subjects (the rain, him); くせに needs one subject.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: あの店員てんいんは新人しんじんのくせに、態度たいどが大きいおおきいんですよ。 Even though I took medicine, my head still hurts.For such a famous town, there aren't many tourists.That clerk is new, yet he acts so cocky.
Sentence 2: 何なにもしないくせに、文句もんくばかり言わないでいわないでよ。 For how cheap it is, this place gives big portions and the food is good.Even though it is Sunday, it is very quiet in front of the station.You don't do a thing, so stop complaining all the time.
Sentence 3: あの政治家せいじかは税金ぜいきんを下げるさげると言っていっていたくせに、逆にぎゃくに上げたあげた。 This bread is cheap, but it is very tasty.My father looks very young for his age.That politician said he'd lower taxes, and instead he raised them.