InitialJ
N3criticismcontrast

～くせに (kuse ni) - Even though / Despite

[Verb/Adjective plain form] + くせに

Quick answer

[Verb/Adjective plain form] + くせに means "Even though / Despite (with criticism)". This N3 pattern appears often in everyday conversation. Examples and practice exercises are listed below.

Meaning

Even though / Despite (with criticism)

Explanation

Expresses criticism or complaint about someone's behavior despite their situation.

Examples

学生のくせに、勉強しない。
がくせいのくせに、べんきょうしない。
Even though he's a student, he doesn't study.
学—Study勉—to strive強—Strong
知らないくせに、知ったふりをする。
しらないくせに、しったふりをする。
Even though he doesn't know, he pretends to know.
知—to know

Practice this grammar

[Verb/Adjective plain form] + くせに

Which sentence correctly uses "～くせに (kuse ni) - Even though / Despite"?

Vocabulary from these examples

知to knowN4強StrongN4勉to striveN4学Study

Last updated Jul 4, 2026