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 + な + くせに
Noun + の + くせに

Details

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About くせに

癖(くせ) 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.

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 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.

Related

Examples

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    食(た)べきれない癖(くせ)にたくさん注文(ちゅうもん)するのはやめてほしい。

    Even though you cannot eat it all, you order a lot. I want you to stop (doing that). (despite)

    昨日(きのう)休(やす)んだ癖(くせ)に、なんで知(し)ったかぶりするの？

    Why do you pretend to know (what we are talking about) despite having the day off yesterday?

    あの人(ひと)は先輩(せんぱい)の癖(くせ)に、いつも僕(ぼく)におごらせようとする。

    Despite being my senior, he/she always tries to make me pay.

    寒(さむ)い癖(くせ)に「寒(さむ)くない」とやせ我慢(がまん)するのはやめてください。

    Please stop pretending like you're not cold even though you are. (despite)

    給料(きゅうりょう)を沢山(たくさん)もらっている癖(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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