although, even though, despite

のに joins two clauses where the second contradicts what the first would lead you to expect, often with surprise or frustration. It follows plain forms, with な after na-adjectives and nouns. Unlike が or けど, it cannot be followed by a request or invitation.

Examples

• 薬くすりを飲のんだのに、熱ねつが下さがりません。

  Kusuri o nonda noni, netsu ga sagarimasen.

  Even though I took medicine, my fever has not gone down.

• 約束やくそくしたのに、彼かれは来きませんでした。

  Yakusoku shita noni, kare wa kimasen deshita.

  Even though he promised, he did not come.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 薬 medicine
• 飲む to drink
• 熱 fever
• 下がる to go down, to fall
• 約束 promise, appointment
• する to do

Related patterns · Connectors

• 〜ので because, since (objective reason)
• 〜ながら while doing (two actions at once)
• 〜し and what is more (listing reasons)
• 〜ても even if, even though
• 〜間に / 〜間 while, during