なのに
なのに
conjunction
despite that; even though; and yet
1.
despite that; even though; and yet; but
A conjunction expressing that the result or situation in the second clause is contrary to what would be expected from the first clause. Often carries a tone of frustration, disappointment, or surprise.
約束したなのに来なかった。
Even though they promised, they didn't come.
一生懸命勉強したなのに不合格だった。
Despite studying hard, I failed.
天気予報では晴れだったなのに、朝から雨が降っている。
The weather forecast said it would be sunny, and yet it's been raining since morning.
Formed from な (the copula/na-adjective connector) + のに (despite). Attaches to nouns and na-adjective stems. Very common in spoken Japanese, often expressing the speaker's frustration or complaint that reality did not match expectations.
USAGE PATTERNS:
- After nouns: 学生なのに (despite being a student)
- After na-adjectives: 静かなのに (despite being quiet)
- Sentence-final use: ...なのに。(expressing frustration without completing the thought)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- のに: despite — the broader particle; なのに is specifically the noun/na-adjective form
- けど / けれども: but — more neutral, less emotional than なのに
- それなのに: despite that — a longer, more emphatic version used at the start of a new sentence
- にもかかわらず: despite / in spite of — more formal written equivalent
REGISTER:
Casual to neutral. Very common in everyday spoken Japanese. The emotional nuance makes it less suitable for formal writing, where にもかかわらず is preferred.
NOTE:
When used at the end of a sentence (e.g., 頑張ったなのに...), the speaker leaves the complaint implied, creating a tone of disappointment or resignation.