Meaning & usage
くせに expresses even though or despite the fact that with a tone of criticism, complaint, or surprised disapproval toward someone's words or behavior. It attaches to plain form verbs and i-adjectives, such as 知ってるくせに or やらないくせに, and to nouns plus の, such as 警官のくせに. It is not used for neutral contrast or praise, and it sounds blunt, so avoid using it toward superiors.
Example sentences 5
-
「何を話してるの？」「知ってるくせに」
"What are you talking about?" "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about."
-
「何の話してるの？」「分かってるくせに」
"What are you talking about?" "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about."
-
青二才のくせに何を言うか。
That's big talk for an upstart like you.
-
「この問題集、買おっかな」「やらないくせに」「なんか言った？」
"I wonder if I should buy this workbook." "Even though you won't do the exercises?" "Did you say something?"
-
警官のくせに泥棒を怖がるなんて。
Even though he's a policeman, he's afraid of thieves.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 3 past exam questions.
