〜のに
JLPT N4:even though
"Even though X, Y": the result goes against what you expected, often with surprise, regret or frustration.
How to form it
- Put the plain form before のに: 飲んだのに, 高いのに.
- Nouns and な-adjectives take なのに: 日曜日なのに (even though it's Sunday), 静かなのに.
- The second half states a fact, not a request or a plan.
Examples
薬を飲んだのに、まだ熱がある。
I took medicine, but I still have a fever.
約束したのに、来なかった。
They promised, and yet they didn't come.
Notes
- Ending a sentence with のに expresses regret or complaint: もっと早く言ってくれればよかったのに (you should have told me sooner).
- なのに at the start of a sentence means "and yet".
Common mistakes
- Using のに for a neutral "but". Use けど when there is no surprise or complaint.
Similar meaning
- けど / けれどbut
A neutral "but".
- 〜てもeven if
"Even if": the result will not change, often about something that has not happened.
Same form, different meaning
- 〜のにfor (doing)
The same のに after a dictionary-form verb can mean "for": 料理するのに使う (used for cooking).