Japatan
Formation
- V普通形 + のに
- いA普通形 + のに
- なA + な + のに
- なA + だった + のに
- N + な + のに
- N + だった + のに
Explanation
A noni B says B happened even though A would normally lead you to expect otherwise. It carries the speaker's surprise, disappointment or complaint. A must be a real fact, not a hypothesis. Te mo can mean 'even if', but noni is only used for facts.
Examples
一生懸命 勉強したのに、試験に 落ちて しまいました。
Although I studied really hard, I failed the exam.
この レストランは 高いのに、あまり おいしくないです。
This restaurant is expensive, but it isn't very good.
今日は 日曜日なのに、会社へ 行かなければ なりません。
Even though today is Sunday, I have to go to the office.
兄は 運転が 上手なのに、いつも バスで 出かけます。
My older brother is a good driver, yet he always goes out by bus.
Notes
After noni you cannot use a command, request, invitation or intention (not: ame ga furu noni, dekakemashou). Use te mo or kedo instead. na-adjectives and nouns take na: shizuka na noni, not shizuka da noni.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1毎日 練習して いる（ ）、なかなか 上手に なりません。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 のに
'Although I practice every day, I just don't get better.' The result is the opposite of what you expect, so noni fits. Node and kara give a reason and nara gives a condition, which do not make sense here.
2今日は（ ）のに、電車が とても 込んで います。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 日曜日な
'Even though today is Sunday, the train is very crowded.' A noun connects to noni with na: nichiyoubi na noni. Da, no and de are not used.
3「のに」の 使い方が 正しい 文は どれですか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 天気予報では 晴れると 言って いたのに、雨が 降りました。
Sentence 4, 'Although the forecast said it would be sunny, it rained', shows an unexpected result. In 1, 2 and 3, noni is followed by an invitation or a request, which is not allowed.
