TAKOBOTO

although, despite
although he's tall, he can't run fast

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かれは、かのじょのことがすきなくせに、それをかのじょにいえない。

Even though he loves her, he can't tell her.

たなかさんはにほんじんのくせにあまりかんじをしらない。

although Mr tanaka is a Japanese, he doesn't know much kanji.

しっているくせに、なにもおしえてくれないんですか。ひどいなあ。

Even though he knew, he didn't say anything? How rude!

せがたかいくせにはやくはしれない

Despite the fact he is tall, he cant run fast.

いいとしをしているくせにこんなこともわからないのか。

Despite being a grown-up, you don't even understand that! (ie: you're old enough to know better...)

できるくせにやろうとしない。

Even though you're able to do it, you don’t (even) try.

なにもしらないくせにいばるんじゃねえ。

Don't you brag your head off when you don't know anything!

わたしはにほんじんのくせしてにほんごのぶんぽうがだいきらいだ。

Despite the fact that I am a Japanese, I strongly abhor Japanese grammar.

けいかんのくせにどろぼうをこわがるなんて。

A policeman and afraid of a thief!

しんまいのくせにおおきなかおをするな。

Act your place.

かれはかねもちのくせにこじきのようなせいかつをしている。

He is rich, and lives like a beggar.

かれはふとっているくせにこえはほそい。

His voice is as thin as he is fat.

しっているくせに、おしえてくれない。

Even though he knows, he won't tell me.

げんきなくせに、びょうきのふりをしている。

Even though he's healthy, he pretends to be sick.

のくせにたいしたかいりきだ。

That's a lot of power for a little girl.

かれはわたしのほんをなくしたくせに、うそをついた。

Although he lost my book, he told a lie.

おかねもないくせにたかいものばかりかうひとはこまります。

It's too bad that there are people who have absolutely no money but keep buying expensive things.

びんぼうのくせにかれはきまえがいい。

Though he is poor, he is generous.

かのじょはあしがいたいくせにピクニックにいった。

She went on a picnic in spite of the pain in her leg.

adj + kuseni
高いくせに

V-plain kuseni
知っているくせに

noun + <b>no</b> kuseni
日本人のくせに

dc

Whereas [noni / のに] is neutral in use, kuseni / くせに is used when expressing annoyance, criticism, or anger. Also, [ni mo kakawarazu / にもかかわらず] expresses a similar idea, but it is a highly formal and bookish expression with no emotion. It cannot be used in highly emotive situations.

rubyhatchet

[kuseni / くせに] cannot be used in the first person. Also, the main clause and the subordinate clause must share the same subject. The following two sentences are INGRAMMATICAL:
1. 良子はまだ学生のくせに両親は彼女に高いマンションを買ってやった。(Although Yoshiko is still a student, her parents have bought her an expensive condominium.)
CHANGE TO -->良子はまだ学生[なのに / にもかかわらず]両親は彼女に高いマンションを買ってやった。

2. 私は日本人のくせに日本の国家が歌えない。(Though I am Japanese, I cannot sing the Japanese national anthem.)
CHANGE TO --> 私は日本人[なのに / にもかかわらず]日本の国家が歌えない。

rubyhatchet

くせに, unlike the more neutral のに, expresses the speaker's feeling of displeasure, disgust or contempt.

timmy43

I have been told you can't use this when speaking of yourself (わたしがカナダ人のくせに、スキーができない。）True?

Leslie

You can use when you speak as if you are laughing at yourself but なのに would be more popular.
わたしはカナダ人のくせに、スキーができないんですよ。
私は日本人のくせに正座ができません。
私はずっと東京に住んでいるくせに、友だちがきても、上手く観光案内できなかった。f^_^;

Miki

In ex#3262, is くせして = くせに?

anon

anon, you are right.

anon

Thank you; I often feel the need to laugh at myself, so this is quite helpful^_^.

Leslie

Generally with 'kuse ni' the implication is negative. e.g. it _wouldn't_ be used for "Although he's English he speak Japanese very well."

Amatuka

上手に「じょうずに」
上手く「うまく」

Basically they mean the same thing.

Shizuya

shouldn't that last one be kanji _ga_ shiranai?

Snake

No, Kanji cannot be a subject here. Please see [wo] & [ga] entries.

Miki

much ruder than にもかかわらず. you might use when arguing with your little brother! 軽蔑 - disrespect

dc

As I said in another forum, くせに is a somewhat peculiar expression in Japanese, in that くせ that ordinarily means "habit" is used in くせに to denote the "category" or "characterization" that is socially associated with the subject being discussed. For example, when you say 子供のくせにたばこを吸う, it would mean "You smoke while you are categorized as a child" [and therefore it is not within that category of expected behavior as a child for you to smoke].

bamboo4

urg i think i read the sentence funny sorry ;/

Snake

If you want to use が here, the sentence would have to be 漢字がわからない.

bamboo4

みきさん、is it 上手にor 上手く?
教えてください。

I think Miki and bamboo are right,
漢字を知らない、漢字が分からない

誠

ah of course, using ga for 'it _cant be understood_ (by me) as opposed to wo for I _dont know it_

Snake

Snake, I'm not good at Japanese grammer but I think the subjuect is still 田中さん unlike your comment.
田中さんは_日本人のくせに_あまり漢字がわからない。
this may be the same が of 「犬が好きです。」in [_Nは].

Miki

Added an example from 'Naruto' :) . Might have gotten it wrong, though.

cone

I noticed that rubyhatchet said that this grammar couldn`t be used with frist person, but Miki`s examples all use first person. 誰が正しいかどうか分からないですよ｡ この文法を見たことありません｡ そして このサイトであの二人はあまり文法ノートが間違いないので どうしようか分からないんだよ｡

tigert