JLPT N2 grammar
〜くせに — Meaning & Examples
"Even though" with criticism or blame. 知っているくせに教えてくれない. Casual and judgemental — usually aimed at someone else. The blunt cousin of のに.
〜くせに — "Even Though" (with a Frown 😤)
くせに means "even though," but unlike the others it carries CRITICISM, blame, or contempt. It's casual and emotionally loaded.
Pattern: [plain form] + くせに
（na-adj: 〜な + くせに、noun: 〜の + くせに）
知っているくせに、教えてくれない。
= He knows perfectly well, yet won't tell me.（annoyed）
下手なくせに、いつも文句ばかり言う。
= He's bad at it, yet does nothing but complain.
子どものくせに、生意気だ。
= He's just a kid, yet he's so cheeky.
Important: くせに usually criticises someone (often not the speaker). You wouldn't use it neutrally or to praise yourself. It's のに's blunt, judgemental cousin.
Quick comparison — same idea, different register:
・ものの → written, neutral: 知っているものの…
・にもかかわらず → formal, strong: 知っているにもかかわらず…
・つつも → literary, inner conflict: 知りつつも…
・くせに → casual, critical: 知っているくせに…
🎊 Four shades of "although." Choose the one that matches your tone, and your Japanese will sound genuinely native. お疲れさまでした！
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜くせに. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which concession word is the MOST formal, common in news and writing?
- ものの (mono no)
- くせに (kuse ni)
- にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
- つつ (tsutsu)
Show answer
Answer: にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
にもかかわらず = a strong, formal "despite," frequent in news and written Japanese. More formal than のに.
2. 〜くせに carries which nuance?
- Polite respect
- Pure formality
- Criticism / blame
- Gratitude
Show answer
Answer: Criticism / blame
くせに means "even though" but with criticism or contempt. 知っているくせに教えてくれない = he knows full well, yet won't tell me.
3. "Although I got my licence, I can't drive (no car)" is best expressed with?
- 免許は取ったものの (menkyo wa totta mono no)
- 免許は取ったくせに (menkyo wa totta kuse ni)
- 免許を取りつつ (menkyo o toritsutsu)
- 免許を取るにもかかわらず (menkyo o toru ni mo kakawarazu)
Show answer
Answer: 免許は取ったものの (menkyo wa totta mono no)
ものの concedes a fact then notes a clash: 免許は取ったものの、車がないので運転できない.
Practise 〜くせに in the free app
This point is part of the “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N2 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N2 grammar points
From the same lesson: Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜くせに mean?
"Even though" with criticism or blame. 知っているくせに教えてくれない. Casual and judgemental — usually aimed at someone else. The blunt cousin of のに.
Is 〜くせに on the JLPT N2 test?
〜くせに is taught in the JLPT N2 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜くせに?
Open the “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N2 mock exams, with no ads.