〜のに
Although 〜のに
Meaning
Contrast with feeling — "although ~", "even though ~". Carries surprise, disappointment or reproach.
Formation
[plain form] + のに · noun / na-adj: な + のに (学生なのに, 静かなのに)
Notes
Not interchangeable with が or けど, which are neutral: 高いのに買った implies "and I shouldn't have". Nouns and na-adjectives insert な — 学生なのに, never ×学生だのに. Do not confuse it with the のに built from の + に ("for the purpose of"): この鍋は料理をするのに便利だ.
Examples
薬（くすり）を飲（の）んだのに、まだ頭（あたま）が痛（いた）いです。
Even though I took the medicine, my head still hurts.
Breakdown
約束（やくそく）したのに、彼（かれ）は来（き）ませんでした。
He promised, and yet he didn't come. (reproach)
Breakdown
まだ学生（がくせい）なのに、自分（じぶん）で会社（かいしゃ）を作（つく）りました。
Although he is still a student, he started his own company. (noun + な + のに)
Breakdown
天気（てんき）がいいのに、どこにも行（い）きませんでした。
The weather was lovely, and yet we didn't go anywhere.
Breakdown
この鍋（なべ）は料理（りょうり）をするのに便利（べんり）です。
This pot is handy for cooking. (the other のに — purpose, not contrast)
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜が、〜
But 〜が
Connects two clauses with contrast — "but / however". More formal/written than けど.
〜けど、〜
But 〜けど (colloquial)
Connects two clauses with contrast — "but / however". The everyday spoken equivalent of が...
〜くせに
Even though (reproach) 〜くせに
"Even though ~", "and yet ~" — with contempt, blame or resentment.
〜ながらも
Although (formal) 〜ながらも
"Although ~", "while ~" — a written contrast between two facts held at once.
〜にもかかわらず
In spite of 〜にもかかわらず
"In spite of ~", "despite ~" — a strong, formal contrast.
〜わりに
Considering 〜わりに
"Considering ~", "for a ~" — the result is out of proportion with what you would expect.
〜ものの
Although (written) 〜ものの
"Although ~", "~, but" — the expected consequence did not follow.
〜とはいえ
Be that as it may 〜とはいえ
"Although ~", "be that as it may" — concedes a known fact, then denies the expectation it...
〜といえども
Even granting that 〜といえども
"Even though ~", "even ~ (of all people)" — a very formal concession.