〜のに — Although, contrary to expectation | JLPT N4 grammar

Meaning

Used when the result goes against what one would normally expect from the first part of the sentence.

Formation

Plain form + のに: 飲んだのに
Nouns and na-adjectives take な: 日曜日なのに, 静かなのに
No request, order or invitation in the second clause

When to use it

Core use: Although, contrary to expectation

Examples

20 sentences

薬くすりを飲んのんだのにまだ頭あたまが痛いいたいです
Even though I took medicine, my head still hurts.
日曜日にちようびなのに駅前えきまえはとても静かしずかです
Even though it is Sunday, it is very quiet in front of the station.
このパンは安いやすいのにとてもおいしいです
This bread is cheap, but it is very tasty.
早くはやく家いえを出でたのに電車でんしゃが遅れおくれて遅刻ちこくしました
Even though I left home early, I was late because the train was delayed.
何回なんかいも練習れんしゅうしたのにその名前なまえだけ覚えおぼえられません
Even though I practiced many times, I still cannot remember that name.
駅えきから近いちかいのに細いほそい路地ろじの中なかなので地図ちずがないと見つけみつけにくいです
Although it is close to the station, it is hard to find without a map because it is in a narrow alley.
新しいあたらしい靴くつを買っかったのにまだ履いはいていません
Although I bought new shoes, I have not worn them yet.
このかばんは小さいちいさいのにたくさん入りはいります
Although this bag is small, it holds a lot.

12 more examples

一生懸命いっしょうけんめい勉強べんきょうしたのに漢字かんじを忘れわすれました
Although I studied hard, I forgot the kanji.
来るくると約束やくそくしたのに彼かれは来きませんでした
Although he promised to come, he did not.
天気予報てんきよほうは晴れはれと言っいっていたのに雨あめが降っふってきました
The forecast said it would be sunny, but it started raining.
息子むすこは元気げんきなのに学校がっこうを休みやすみました
My son is perfectly well, yet he stayed away from school.
地図ちずを見みたのに道みちを間違えまちがえました
I looked at the map, but still went the wrong way.
弟おとうとの宿題しゅくだいを手伝ってつだってあげたのにありがとうも言いいいませんでした
I helped my younger brother with his homework, but he did not even say thank you.
部屋へやはきれいなのに誰もだれも使っつかっていません
The room is clean, but nobody uses it.
掃除そうじしたのに子どもこどもがまた部屋へやを汚しよごしました
I had just cleaned, but the children made a mess of the room again.
十時間じゅうじかん寝ねたのに眠いねむいです
I slept for ten hours, but I am still sleepy.
たくさん練習れんしゅうしたのに上手じょうずにできませんでした
I practised a lot, but I could not do it well.
まだ夏なつなのに今日きょうは涼しいすずしいです
It is still summer, yet it is cool today.
お金おかねがないのに高いたかい靴くつを買いかいました
Although I have no money, I bought expensive shoes.

Important notes

のに contrasts an accepted fact with an unexpected result and often conveys dissatisfaction.

Common mistakes

For a request after even if, use ても: 雨が降っても来てください, not 雨が降るのに来てください.

Check yourself

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

Sentence 1: 一生懸命いっしょうけんめい勉強べんきょうしたのに漢字かんじを忘れわすれました I study while listening to music.After doing my homework, I watch TV.Although I studied hard, I forgot the kanji.
Sentence 2: 部屋へやはきれいなのに誰もだれも使っつかっていません The room is clean, but nobody uses it.After cleaning the room, I will make lunch.The child came home singing a song.
Sentence 3: お金おかねがないのに高いたかい靴くつを買いかいました Although I have no money, I bought expensive shoes.After eating breakfast, I go to school.I walked to the station while looking at the map.

Similar grammar

Hear it in podcasts

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