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｡
