くせに

Even Though (Critical)

Level 3Sounds Like kuseni

Use くせに to say 'even though' or 'despite' when you want to criticize someone. It implies they should know better or act differently based on who they are.

How It Works

くせに is a powerful way to express criticism, blame, or contempt. It connects two clauses where the second clause is unexpected or inappropriate given the first.

Key Rules:

  • Same Subject: The subject of both clauses must be the same person or entity.
  • Usage for Self: While primarily used to criticize others, it can be used for oneself to express self-deprecation, irony, or self-disgust.
  • Subjects: It is used for people, living things, and organizations or objects that have specific roles or expectations (e.g., a 'big company' or a 'new car').
  • Negative Nuance: It usually implies blame or contempt. However, among close friends, it can be used for teasing or playful calling-out.
  • Social Status: It is informal and can sound very rude. Never use it toward a superior.

Morphology:

  • Verbs: Plain form + くせに (e.g., 知っている（しっている）くせに)
  • い-Adjectives: Plain form + くせに (e.g., 若い（わかい）くせに)
  • な-Adjectives: Dictionary form + な + くせに (e.g., 元気（げんき）なくせに)
  • Nouns: Noun + の + くせに (e.g., 子供（こども）のくせに)

Examples (6)

  1. 何も知らないくせに、偉そうなことを言うな。

    Don't talk so big when you don't actually know anything.

    Word by Word: Nothing not-know even-though, great-looking thing (accusative) say-don't.

    Here, くせに criticizes the person for acting superior despite their lack of knowledge.

  2. 彼は自分では何もしないくせに、文句ばかり言っている。

    He does nothing himself, yet all he does is complain.

    Word by Word: He (topic) self by-as-for anything do-not even-though, complaints only is-saying.

    This uses ばかり to emphasize the hypocrisy of the subject's behavior.

  3. 本当は嬉しいくせに、わざと嫌な顔をしているね。

    You're actually happy, but you're pretending to be annoyed, aren't you?

    Word by Word: Truth-as-for happy even-though, on-purpose unpleasant face (accusative) is-doing, right?

    In close relationships, くせに can be used for lighthearted teasing to point out a contradiction in feelings.

  4. 子供のくせに、そんな言葉を使っちゃいけません。

    Even though you're a child, you shouldn't use such words.

    Word by Word: Child (possessive) even-though, that-kind-of words (accusative) use-must-not.

    When used with a noun, you must add の before くせに.

  5. 大企業（だいきぎょう）のくせに、対応（たいおう）がすごく遅（おそ）い。

    For a large corporation, their response is incredibly slow.

    Word by Word: Large-corporation (possessive) even-though, response (topic) very slow.

    くせに can be used for organizations or objects when they fail to meet the standards or expectations associated with their status.

  6. バカなくせに、変（へん）なプライドだけは高いんだ。

    Even though I'm an idiot, I have this weirdly high pride.

    Word by Word: Idiot even-though, strange pride only (topic) high-is.

    While usually for others, くせに can be used for oneself to express self-deprecation, self-disgust, or irony.

Common Mistakes

  • Using different subjects for the two clauses.

    雨が降っているくせに、外に行きます。
    雨が降っているのに、外に行きます。

    くせに requires the subject to be the same for both parts of the sentence. Since 'rain' and 'I' are different subjects, you must use のに.

  • Using it for a simple contrast without a critical tone.

    このリンゴは赤いくせに、甘くないです。
    このリンゴは赤いのに、甘くないです。

    くせに implies a sense of blame, irony, or 'failing to live up to expectations.' For a simple factual contradiction like an apple not being sweet, のに is more natural.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

くせにLevel 3Even Though (Critical)

Learn This First

くせに is a grammar pattern used to express a contradiction with a strong tone of blame, contempt, or criticism. To use it correctly, learners must be comfortable with noun modification rules, as the pattern attaches to verbs, adjectives, and nouns just like a noun would. It is also helpful to understand the neutral contrastive particle 'noni' to appreciate the specific critical nuance of 'kuseni'.

Words in This Pattern