Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 10: 6/20

癖(くせ)に
even though, and yet, despite

Structure
Verb + くせに
[い]Adjective + くせに
[な]Adjective + + くせに
Noun + + くせに
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
癖(くせ) is a 名詞(めいし) (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 格助詞(かくじょし) (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 連体形(れんたいけい) (attributive form) of any other word.
  • さっき寝(ね)るって言(い)ってたくせにまだ起(お)きてる
    Even though you said that you are going to sleep earlier, are you still up?
  • 若(わか)いくせに何(なに)ダラダラしている
    Why are you working so sluggishly even though you are young?
  • 自分(じぶん)だって下手(へた)なくせに何(なに)偉(えら)そうに言(い)ってるん
    Despite you also being no pro, why are you talking so high and mighty.
  • この子(こ)は犬(いぬ)くせにニャー鳴(な)く。
    Even though he is a dog, he meows.
Fun Fact
癖(くせ) is a word that has developed a ‘negative’ meaning over time. Originally, 癖(くせ) 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 格助詞(かくじょし) 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.
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給料(きゅうりょう)を沢山(たくさん)もらうくせに、貯金(ちょきん)がないらしい。
Despite getting paid a lot, I have heard that he has no savings.
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休(やす)みくせに家(いえ)の手伝(てつだ)いを何(なに)もしない。
Even though it is your day off, you don't help at all with the housework.
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暑(あつ)いくせにあの人(ひと)毎日(まいにち)セーターを着(き)て仕事(しごと)行(い)く
It is hot and yet, that person wears a sweater to work everyday.
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Tobira
Page 173
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 269