JLPT N4 grammar
～のに — Meaning & Examples
"Even though" / "despite." Carries emotional nuance — frustration, surprise, disappointment. べんきょうしたのに = even though I studied.
～のに — "Even Though" / "Despite"
～のに expresses frustration or surprise that something didn't go as expected.
Formation: plain form + のに (な-adj/noun + なのに)
べんきょうしたのに、しけんにおちた。
— Even though I studied, I failed the exam.
やくそくしたのに、こなかった。
— Despite promising, they didn't come.
たかかったのに、すぐこわれた。
— Even though it was expensive, it broke immediately.
yasui noに、しつがいい。
— Despite being cheap, the quality is good. (pleasant surprise)
The emotional nuance: のに always carries feeling — frustration, disappointment, surprise, or irony. It's not neutral like "although" in English.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on ～のに. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "べんきょうしたのに、おちた" expresses?
- Happiness
- Gratitude
- Hope
- Frustration
Show answer
Answer: Frustration
のに = even though/despite. Always carries emotion — here, frustration at failing despite studying.
2. のに always carries what?
- Politeness
- Formal register
- Emotional nuance
- Uncertainty
Show answer
Answer: Emotional nuance
のに always carries feeling — frustration, disappointment, surprise, or irony. Never neutral like "although."
Practise ～のに in the free app
This point is part of the “Giving Reasons & Contrast” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Giving Reasons & Contrast
Frequently asked questions
What does ～のに mean?
"Even though" / "despite." Carries emotional nuance — frustration, surprise, disappointment. べんきょうしたのに = even though I studied.
Is ～のに on the JLPT N4 test?
～のに is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Giving Reasons & Contrast”), 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 ～のに?
Open the “Giving Reasons & Contrast” 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 N4 mock exams, with no ads.