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N4

のに

Despite, Although, Even though

明日あしたテストがあるのに彼かれは勉強べんきょうをしないでゲームをしている。

Despite having a test tomorrow, he is playing games without studying.

Explanation

「のに」 means 'although': what follows goes against what you would expect, and the tone is surprise, complaint or regret.

「一生懸命勉強したのに、試験に落ちた」 (I studied hard, but I failed the exam).

With nouns and na-adjectives, add 「な」: 「雨なのに」, 「静かなのに」.

Mixed up with

After 「のに」 you cannot put a command, request, intention, invitation or guess. Not 「×雨なのに、傘を持って行きなさい」.

「けれども/が」 is a neutral 'but' and allows those: 「雨ですが、傘を持っていきましょう」.

At the end of a sentence, 「~のに。」 trails off and shows regret or complaint: 「教えてくれればよかったのに…」 (You could have told me…).

Examples

  1. 何なんで納豆なっとうは臭くさいのに美味おいしいの?

    Why does natto taste good, despite smelling bad?

  2. 彼かれはイケメンなのにいつも汗臭あせくさい。

    Even though he is a good looking guy, he always smells like sweat.

  3. 無理むりって言いったのにまだやるの?

    I told you it was impossible, and you're still going to do it?

Tested 7 times in past papers

N3 · Jul 2019, Q46N3 · Jul 2015, Q49N4 · Dec 2013, Q53N3 · Dec 2012, Q44N2 · Jul 2012, Q46N3 · Jul 2011, Q49N4 · Jul 2010, Q47