Mimi Kara Oboeru N4 Grammar: 23. ~のに

Mimi Kara Oboeru N4 Grammar: 23. ~のに (noni)
Here is Japanese N4 grammar study material taken from the Mimi Kara Oboeru N4 textbook.

~のに

1. Structure: Noun + な / [verb / い-adjective / な-adjective] in the noun-modifying form

2. Meaning: This pattern expresses that the result is “different from what the first clause would lead you to expect” (expressing surprise, dissatisfaction, regret…).

このアパートは駅から遠いのに、家賃が高い。
Kono apāto wa eki kara tōi no ni, yachin ga takai.
The rent for this flat is high even though it is far from the station

お金を払ったのに、どうして商品が届かないのだろう。
Why has the item still not arrived even though I have paid?

彼は日本へ来てからまだ半年なのに、もう日本語の新聞が読めるそうだ。
Okane o haratta no ni, dōshite shōhin ga todokanai nodarou.
I hear he can read Japanese newspapers even though he has only been in Japan for half a year.

スピーチ大会ではきんちょうして、上手に話せなかった。一生懸命練習したのに。
Supīchi taikaide wa kinchō shite, jōzu ni hanasenakatta. Isshōkenmei renshū shitanoni.
I was nervous at the speech contest, so I could not speak well even though I had practised a lot.

3. Notes:
– のに is followed by clauses describing facts. It is not followed by clauses expressing will, inference, guesses…
ｘ 彼は病気なのに、会社へ来るだろう。=> 彼は病気だが、~
ｘ 電子辞書は必要なのに、高いのに買うつもりだ。 => ～、高いけれども～
– The key difference with this pattern (compared with expressions of the same meaning such as 「～が」or「～ても」) is that it carries the speaker’s strong feelings, such as dissatisfaction or surprise.