“〜kuse ni”: Even Though 〜 (a reproachful concessive) [JLPT N3]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

「知っているくせに教えない」 — “even though” — with a sneer of reproach.

「知っているくせに、教えてくれない」 — 「くせに」, a reproachful “even though…”

「答えを知っているくせに、教えてくれない」 (even though you know the answer, you won't tell me) — 「(plain form) ＋ くせに」 means “even though ~, yet…,” an adversative like 「のに」, but carrying strong reproach, dissatisfaction, or contempt. It's more emotional and subjective than 「のに」. This guide covers 「くせに」's attachment, that “barbed” feel, and separates it from the neutral 「のに」.

Core: a reproachful, dissatisfied adversative (even though… yet…)

「〜くせに」 = “even though ~, yet…,” with reproach, dissatisfaction, contempt:

• Reproaching inconsistency: 知っているくせに、教えない (knows it, yet won't teach).
• Contempt, teasing: 下手なくせに、偉そうに言う (not even good, yet talks big).
• Feel: barbed, emotional (dissatisfaction, scorn), mostly for reproaching others (can be self-deprecating).

Attachment: plain form ＋ くせに (na-adj 〜な, noun 〜の).

How to Connect

實用例句

• 答えを知っているくせに、わざと教えてくれない。(Even though you know the answer, you deliberately won't tell me.) — reproach
• お金持ちのくせに、いつもケチだ。(Even though he's rich, he's always stingy.) — dissatisfaction
• 怖いくせに、一人でホラー映画を見る。(Even though he's scared, he watches horror alone.) — teasing
• 下手なくせに、偉そうに批評する。(Not even good, yet he criticizes so smugly.) — contempt
• 子供のくせに、生意気だ。(Just a kid, yet so cheeky.) — reproach

⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid

① 「くせに」 (reproachful, emotional) vs 「のに」 (neutral adversative). Both mean “even though… yet,” but くせに carries strong reproach, dissatisfaction, contempt (知っているくせに教えない = knows it yet won't teach, with reproach); のに is neutral (雨なのに出かけた = went out even though it rained, objective). くせに is barbed, subjective, mostly for reproaching people; のに works for any adversative.

② Don't use it toward seniors or in formal settings. くせに carries a scornful, reproachful tone; using it toward seniors, bosses, or in formal settings is very rude. It's mostly for complaining/teasing among friends, or reproaching someone close. For a neutral adversative, use のに.

③ Attachment: nouns add の, na-adjectives add な. 子供のくせに (noun ＋ の), 下手なくせに (na-adj ＋ な). Verbs and i-adjectives attach directly (知っているくせに, 若いくせに). The subject before and after is usually the same (the person being reproached).

🔄 Compare: くせに／のに／にもかかわらず

💡 An exam judgment tip

「くせに」 and 「のに」 both mean “even though… yet,” but 「くせに」 carries strong reproach, dissatisfaction, contempt — it's barbed and emotional. 知っているくせに教えてくれない (knows it yet won't teach, with resentment), 下手なくせに偉そう (not even good yet smug, contempt). It's mostly for complaining/teasing among friends, or reproaching (can be self-deprecating: 私のくせに…). An important reminder: never use it toward seniors, bosses, or in formal settings (very rude); for a neutral “even though… yet,” use 「のに」. Attachment: nouns add の (子供のくせに), na-adjectives add な (下手なくせに). To emotionally “dig at, reproach” someone for being inconsistent, くせに is vivid — but use the right setting and person.

❓ Questions you might have

Q: How do I tell 「くせに」 from 「のに」?

Both mean “even though… yet” (adversative), differing in emotion and register. 「くせに」 = strong reproach, dissatisfaction, contempt (barbed, subjective, colloquial): 知っているくせに、知らないふりをする (knows it, yet plays dumb — reproach), 弱いくせに、強がる (weak, yet acts tough — teasing). 「のに」 = a neutral adversative (objective, any setting): 約束したのに、来なかった (even though we'd agreed, he didn't come — can carry disappointment, but not the scorn of くせに). So: to “reproach, look down on” someone (even though… yet) → くせに; a neutral adversative statement → のに. くせに is emotional, aggressive; のに is milder.

Q: Can I use 「くせに」 toward anyone?

No! 「くせに」 carries a scornful, reproachful tone, and must never be used toward seniors, bosses, clients, or in formal settings (very rude, like looking down on them). Where it fits: ① complaining/teasing among friends and family (知っているくせに、教えてよ = you know it, come on tell me, with a pleading/complaining tone); ② reproaching someone close, or who deserves it (子供のくせに生意気 = just a kid, yet so cheeky); ③ self-deprecation (初心者のくせに、えらそうなこと言ってすみません = sorry, a beginner like me talking big). To express “even though… yet” toward seniors or formally, always switch to the neutral 「のに」. Remember: くせに = barbed reproach — use it by setting and person.

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「答えを知っている___、わざと教えない。」(He knows the answer, yet deliberately won't tell me)

(A) のに　(B) くせに　(C) ものの　(D) けど

Q2. 「お金持ちの___、いつもケチだ。」(He's rich, yet always stingy)

(A) くせに　(B) のに　(C) ものの　(D) から

Q3. Which situation best suits くせに?

(A) 頑張ったくせに、合格できなかった。(I myself failed the exam)

(B) 彼は知っているくせに、黙っている。(he knows yet stays silent)

(C) 雨が降っているくせに、傘がない。(it's raining yet I have no umbrella)

(D) 試験が難しかったくせに、合格した。

Q4. 「怖い___、一人でホラー映画を見ている。」(He's scared, yet watches horror movies alone)

(A) のに　(B) くせに　(C) から　(D) ので

Q5. Which has the strongest tone (most reproachful)?

(A) 彼は知っているのに、教えてくれない。

(B) 彼は知っているくせに、教えてくれない。

(C) 彼は知っているが、教えてくれない。

(D) 彼は知っているものの、教えてくれない。

Answer Explanations

1. (B) くせに ── 「わざと教えない (deliberately won't tell)」→ clear reproach/dissatisfaction → くせに is stronger. (A) のに also works, but くせに conveys stronger displeasure.

2. (A) くせに ── 「お金持ちのくせにケチ」= sarcasm/criticism of a rich person being stingy → くせに (with a noun, use の + くせに).

3. (B) ── 「彼は知っているくせに黙っている」= clear criticism/reproach of another person → the most typical use of くせに. (A) 「頑張ったくせに」= about oneself, usually のに; (C)(D) sound unnatural.

4. (B) くせに ── criticizing someone for "being scared (a weakness) yet putting on a brave front" → くせに (sarcasm/reproach). (A) のに also works, but くせに has a stronger sarcastic edge.

5. (B) ── くせに carries the strongest emotional color and the most reproachful tone of all these adversatives. のに (A) has regret/dissatisfaction; が (C) is neutral; ものの (D) is written/regretful.