even though; and yet (critical)

くせに is like のに but adds blame or contempt toward the subject. Use it when the contrast reflects badly on someone. Attach it to a plain-form verb/adjective, a noun with の, or a na-adjective with な. It is casual and should be avoided in formal speech.

Examples

• 知しっているくせに、教おしえてくれない。

  Shitte iru kuse ni, oshiete kurenai.

  He knows but won't tell me, even though he could.

• 子供こどものくせに、生意気なまいきだ。

  Kodomo no kuse ni, namaiki da.

  He's cheeky for a kid.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 知る to know
• いる to exist (animate); to be
• 教える to teach; to tell
• くれる to give (to me)
• 子供 child
• 生意気 cheeky, impudent

Related patterns · Contrast and concession

• 〜のに even though; despite (with surprise or complaint)
• 〜たところで no matter how much; even if (it won't help)
• 〜ものの although; even though (formal)