Despite / Although (~noni)
〜のに
~のに expresses contrast or disappointment — 'despite,' 'although,' or 'even though' — often with an emotional nuance.
Pattern
Verb (plain form) + のに | i-adj + のに | na-adj + なのに | Noun + なのに
Explanation
~のに is used to express that something unexpected or disappointing happened despite a certain condition. It conveys the speaker's feeling of surprise, frustration, or regret. It is stronger emotionally than ~けど or ~が.
It follows the plain form of verbs and i-adjectives, na-adjective + な, and noun + な. It can appear in the middle of a sentence (connecting two clauses) or at the end of a sentence (trailing off to express frustration or disappointment).
When used at the end of a sentence, のに implies 'and yet...' with the unsatisfying result left unstated: せっかく作ったのに (I went to the trouble of making it, but... [it was wasted]). This trailing usage is very natural and common in spoken Japanese.
Examples
薬を飲んだのに、まだ熱がある。
くすりをのんだのに、まだねつがある。
kusuri wo nonda noni, mada netsu ga aru.
Even though I took medicine, I still have a fever.
約束したのに来なかった。
やくそくしたのにこなかった。
yakusoku shita noni konakatta.
Despite making a promise, they didn't come.
日曜日なのに仕事がある。
にちようびなのにしごとがある。
nichiyoubi na noni shigoto ga aru.
Even though it's Sunday, I have work.
せっかく作ったのに、誰も食べない。
せっかくつくったのに、だれもたべない。
sekkaku tsukutta noni, dare mo tabenai.
I went to the trouble of making it, but nobody eats it.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
静かのに
Correct
静かなのに
Na-adjectives and nouns require な before のに.
Wrong
学生のに
Correct
学生なのに
Nouns also require な before のに.
Wrong
のに at the beginning of a sentence
Correct
のに in the middle or at the end
のに cannot start a sentence. It connects to a preceding clause or ends a sentence.
Related Grammar Points
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