Structure
Verb + くせに
[い]Adjective + くせに
[な]Adjective + な + くせに
Noun + の + くせに
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Standard
使用域
一般
About くせに
癖 is a noun that means 'habit' or 'tendency'. However, as it usually refers to a negative thing, 'vice' is another accurate translation. くせに (usually appearing without kanji) is the combination of くせ, and the case marking particle に. This structure is often used to criticize the actions of others, and is used in a similar way to 'despite', 'even though', or 'and yet' in English.
As くせ is a noun, くせに may be used after the attributive form of any other word.
As くせ is a noun, くせに may be used after the attributive form of any other word.
- さっき寝るって言ってたくせにまだ起きてるの?Even though you said that you are going to sleep earlier, are you still up?
- 若いくせに何ダラダラしているんだ。Why are you working so sluggishly even though you are young?
- 自分だって下手なくせに何偉そうに言ってるんだ。Despite you also being no pro, why are you talking so high and mighty.
- この子は犬のくせにニャーと鳴く。Even though he is a dog, he meows.
Fun Fact
癖 is a word that has developed a 'negative' meaning over time. Originally, 癖 was used to convey a preference, or the side that someone or something tended to lean toward (due to it being favorable for some reason). When adding the case marking particle に to this, it merely expressed that (A) was the preferable state/location, so (B) not being/not acting in a way appropriate for (A) is less than desirable.Synonyms
のに
Despite, Although, Even though
Not studied yet
それでも
But still, And yet, Even so, Nevertheless
Not studied yet
ながらも
But, Even while, Even though, Despite, Although
Not studied yet
それなのに
And yet, Despite this
Not studied yet
にもかかわらず
Despite, In spite of, Regardless, Nevertheless
Not studied yet
つつ(も)
Even while ~ing, Even though ~ing, Despite ~ing, Although ~ing
Not studied yet
が
But, However
Not studied yet
Examples
給料を沢山もらうくせに、貯金がないらしい。
Despite getting paid a lot, I have heard that he has no savings.
休みのくせに、家の手伝いを何もしない。
Even though it is your day off, you don't help at all with the housework.
暑いくせに、あの人は毎日セーターを着て仕事に行く。
It is hot and yet, that person wears a sweater to work everyday.
あの人は先輩のくせに、いつも僕におごらせようとする。
Despite being my senior, he/she always tries to make me pay.
何も知らないくせに、偉そうなことを言うのはやめてください。
Despite not knowing anything, you surely act high and mighty. Please just stop.
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~くせに
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Grammar Notes and Breakdown
JLPT 先生
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Tobira
Page 173
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
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くせに – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (5 in total)
_max
Thank you for the answer!
But really still pretty confused.
癖に is kind of the same as のに, but with criticism.
So it’s like “despite”, “even though”, etc.
But in the example sentence we want to say “because”, not “even though”.
“Because you are a man, don’t cry”, not “Even though you are a man, don’t cry”, correct?
That’s why for me 癖に sounds strange in this sentence.Scyamntic
I think the fun fact for the gramar point helps to elucidate here:
癖 is a word that has developed a ‘negative’ meaning over time. Originally, 癖 was used to convey a preference, or the side that someone or something tended to lean toward (due to it being favorable for some reason). When adding the case marking particle に to this, it merely expressed that (A) was the preferable state/location, so (B) not being/not acting in a way appropriate for (A) is less than desirable.
So 男のくせに泣くな
Can be thought of as:
- “From the standpoint of being a man, not crying is prefereable”
Or taking the more “habit” oriented meaning
- “A habit of men is not crying”
Definitely a weird coming from English, but the key take away to add to the primary meaning of “despite” in my opinion is this feeling of “(B) not being preferable”
_max
Wow, it really works! Thank you, didn’t pay much attention to the “Fun Fact” section.
Now, it kind of makes sense.
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